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History
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HISTORY OF THE AMAZONIAN RIVER
COMMUNITY
The
natives called the River “Caiari”, as it is still known by local Indians. It
was navigated since 1560, and was
frequented by Jesuits in 1669. In
1637 Portuguese pioneers made
contact with the Indians. Natural
products such as, rubber, dry fish and cacau fruit described to be the sweetest
and biggest in the Amazon, were
extracted by the foreigners. In
1693 an expedition went to the mouth of the tributary
“Mataura” where the Turás community was, too view the possibility of
establishing residency among the Indians. The
“Caiari” river
was re-named river
Madeira” (wood) due to thick tree trunks that were pulled from
the river banks and taken downstream by the high river current.
On the 7th of December 1866, His Majesty
Dom Pedro II opened navigation to
the United Nations. Hence,
the ‘river side culture’ began evolving, as the explorers began settling in
indigenous communities, and mounting their catholic churches, along with
‘casharsa’ (vodka) factories, which had consequential detrimental effects
upon the Indians religious beliefs, health, social and familial behaviour.
These influences have altered their lifestyles significantly today. At
the opening of the nearest town on the 4th
of July 1877 , ‘’there was not a religious
part’’, because the vicar was in another state of Brazil, but a ceremony
would be carried out on his return...today,
the majority of the population are catholic, and the nearest towns main
catholic church has been standing for 100 years. The
areas industry initiated with rubber. With the decline until extinction of this
trade, economy in this area is poor. The
agriculturists rely upon seasonal fruits and vegetables of which
their produce depends heavily upon the seasonal rainfall.
Extraction of natural forest produce such as Brazil nuts, copaíba oil,
andiroba oil, precious woods, açai, pupuñha, which serve as a form of economy
for the forest dwellers. Regional
cultivation of mandioca, melons, sweetcorn, beans, rice, sugar cane, banana,
avocado, maracuja (temporary), coffee (permanent). Fish
remains the main source of food, particularly during the months of June and
November. Industry
in the nearest local town is small, consisting of 21 establishments of
metal workshops, carpenters, breadmakers and an ice factory.
There are 174 commercial establishments, which sell foods, construction
material, medications, materials, clothes etc.
There is a private dentist, mechanics office, car spray, electrical
offices, designers, shoe-makers, hairdressers and taxi rank.
There are two banks lent to the municipality: Bank of the State of
Amazonas S/A and Bank of Brazil S/A. |
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