Escondido being the furthest followed by Nova Esperança, Amparo, Mutum, Atrinchã, Escondido, Tibúrcio, Sete Estrelas and Matrinchã, travelling by small boat is the only possibility. It takes several hours to reach just the first village and something like 8-10 hours to reach the last one. In the past, before the access to motorised boats, it would have taken days and walking weeks. We pass individual houses and small settlements on the way.
Travelling at dusk and into the night requires to use torches and it is hazardous. We stop of at a house before the river gets to dangerous for travel at night and the elderly lady welcomes without any hesitation.
Travelling by boat is hard work.
The disposal of Western products, i.e. the packaging is a general issue.
We pass a number of settlement just outside the Yawanawá territory.
Visit to the first brief stop at the Yawanawá village of Matrinchã.
Jewellery making as a source of income.
Off to the next village.
Passing the village of Tibúrcio.
Another stop at the village of Amparo.
A warm welcome for us.
Farewell.
The government appears to support new developments.
A brief stop and conversation as the village of Yawarani.
From time to time it is necessary to stop to fix the motor and check the load.
The river can be quite fast and with hazards of fallen tree branches, some of submerged in the river.
Approaching the village of Sete Estrelas.
At Sete Estrelas a short break.
Next stop the village of Mutum.
Briefly cooling down in the lake. The festival was held here in 2014.
With beautiful gardens.
Refreshing drinks straight from the tree.
New building work under way.
On our way again.
The village of Nova Esperança in the distance.
Unloading everything for stay over night.
The village of Nova Esperança is high up and was not affected by the floods, although an erosion of the embankment can be seen.
Opposite the missionary had guid a small air field.
Nova Esperança is the largest village of all with maybe 300-400 people residing here.
Farewell once more.
The further West one travels up the river the narrower it gets and the more difficult it is to manoeuvre. We are hitting more and more trees submerged in the river.
Arrival at the village of Escondido, where we stay for a few days now. This is where the original Yawanawá settlement was and where they first met the missionaries, so the story goes.
Opposite lives a non-indigenous family with some cattle and other live stock. The floods have shifted a whole house along and tipped it over into some undergrowth. A night later a hungry Jaguar which could be heard growling with her two cups would frighten the owners.
Petrol or Diesel powered generators only run at certain times of the day. Normally at dusk (about 5 pm) until about 10 pm.
Biraci Brasil Yawanawá build this traditional Yawanawá community building allowing something like 20 families or so to reside. He says that the individual huts in which the tribe now house was not originally their way of life but introduced by the missionaries.
The river is not just a transport way but is utilised for washing clothes and bathing and of course having fun. There are other smaller streams nearby, some for drinking water and some treated as sacred for washing in whilst on a sacred diet.
Getting ready to return.
Final farewell.
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