Westernmost state of Brazil, Acre fascinates many people with its well preserved natural beauty. The Juruá Valley, part of the itinerary called "route to villages and biodiversity" offers the tourist contact with various indigenous ethnic groups and their ancient customs.
It is in this wonderful setting that the city of Cruzeiro do Sul and Serra do Divisor National Park are located, the park being considered by many researchers as the region of the greatest worldwide biodiversity. On setting off from the capital Rio Branco, there are several routes that unveil the Juruá Valley, with its natural attractions such as navigable rivers, streams and lakes. Sailing along the Moa River is a must, for it is a link to the Park of Serra do Divisor, where contact with nature is exposed before some unmatched and preserved flora and fauna.
The enormous biodiversity of the Amazon holds treasures from traditional communities yet to be discovered by urban society. Among the natural materials is the tucum. It is a palm tree that can grow 50 feet tall and from which a kind of very tough line can be extracted, known to the Amazonians as the "line of loyalty." The linkup of tucum straw and companionship comes from the belief that the fiber´s strength never ruptures. Legend aside, the material has drawn the attention of crafts groups which see the thread of the palm tree as an income generating raw material for sustainable development of areas with frail economy. TOURISM INFO
The
Yawanawa tribe (wild boar people) is the guardian of an ecologic sanctuary of
over 20,000 sq km, 98% of which is wild forest located deep in the heart of the
amazon jungle. It is settled in a region of the state of Acre extremely rich in bio-diversity. Their forefathers, who lived in perfect harmony with nature,
held the knowledge to the
forest´s healing plants. Also, their spiritual
endowment is outstanding.
The Yawanawa community is currently led by Tashka and Laura Yawanawa. Tashka Yawanawa had served as Chief of the Yananawa since 2001.
In just a few years, Tashka and his wife Laura have worked to increase Yawanawa territory, reinvigorate Yawanawa culture, and establish economically and socially empowering relationships with the outside world.
The Yawanawa community and their allies are developing a new model of sustainability that allows the Yawanawa to protect the rainforest and engage with the outside world on their own terms, without losing their cultural and spiritual identity.
The tribe is divided in seven villages the largest of which, Nova Esperança (New Hope) holds an annual festival so as to celebrate, meditate over and rescue an invaluable historic and cultural heritage handed down by many generations way long before discoverers reached the Americas. Non-indigenous visitors are welcome to share their wisdom and participate in the festivities.
It is in this wonderful setting that the city of Cruzeiro do Sul and Serra do Divisor National Park are located, the park being considered by many researchers as the region of the greatest worldwide biodiversity.
The linkup of tucum straw and companionship comes from the belief that the fiber´s strength never ruptures. Legend aside, the material has drawn the attention of crafts groups which see the thread of the palm tree as an income generating raw material for sustainable development of areas with frail economy.
