Discover the culture and traditions of the Pataxós
The Pataxós inhabit several villages in the extreme south of Bahia and the north of Minas Gerais. The Jaqueira Reserve, which has been fundamental to our understanding of the Pataxó culture, began its journey in 1997, after the demarcation and homologation of Coroa Vermelha as an Indigenous Land. Since the 16th century, the Pataxós have interacted with non-indigenous people and were often forced to hide their traditions. Today, they are dedicated to maintaining their traditions and way of life, passing them down from generation to generation.
Dance and music
Dance and song are sacred practices that allow members of the tribe to unite with the forces of nature, absorbing the vital energy of the elements such as earth, air, water and fire. The "Awê" is the ultimate expression of love and harmony with the world for the Pataxós.
Language
The original indigenous language is no longer widely spoken, with Portuguese, combined with some traditional terms, becoming the main means of communication. However, there is a strong movement to revive Patxohã. In the village of Coroa Vermelha, where the largest Pataxó school is located, the language was incorporated into the elementary school curriculum around the year 2000. The photograph above was taken at the Pataxó Coroa Vermelha School, "Taputá Tometô" means Welcome to Patxohã.
Medicinal plants
The Pataxó people’s traditional knowledge of medicinal plants is vast and deeply respected. They use a variety of plants, roots, vines and resins to prepare remedies that purify environments, strengthen the spirit and ward off negative influences. Amesca resin, for example, is an important component in their healing and protection rituals, reflecting the wisdom accumulated over generations. The image on the side depicts the Shaman of the Jaqueira Reserve preparing a medicinal tea.
Indigenous Games
The Pataxó Indigenous Games are an annual event held in the community of Coroa Vermelha, the week leading up to April 19th. The event brings together several teams to participate in sports and cultural activities, where the focus is on celebrating culture rather than competition. Children play a significant role in the games, the image below shows children preparing for the annual event.
Paintings
The Pataxó body paintings are deeply rooted cultural expressions that convey stories and emotions from everyday life. Used in a variety of important events, such as wedding ceremonies, births, rites of passage, celebrations, battles, and moments of mourning or protection, each painting has a special meaning, varying according to the area of the body and the context, and differing between men and women, married or single. The photo below was taken at the Jaqueira Reserve and shows a very traditional Pataxó body painting.
Craftsmanship
The Pataxós transform natural materials, such as wood, seeds, straw, vines, clay and feathers, into handcrafted pieces. These creations include everything from everyday utensils to ceremonial and spiritual objects, such as protective necklaces. Each item is made with deep respect for nature and ancestral teachings.
Indigenous people in Porto Seguro, Bahia
There are more than 17 thousand indigenous people of the Pataxó ethnic group in Porto Seguro, making it the second municipality with the largest indigenous population in Bahia.
The 2022 Demographic Census revealed that 1,693,535 people declare themselves indigenous in Brazil, representing 0.83% of the country's population, distributed across 4,832 municipalities. The 2022 Census data was released by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) on Monday, August 7.
Location
The Pataxó live in southern Bahia, where they live in 36 villages spread across six Indigenous Lands: Águas Belas, Aldeia Velha, Barra Velha, Imbiriba, Coroa Vermelha and Mata Medonha. These areas are located in the municipalities of Santa Cruz Cabrália, Porto Seguro, Itamaraju and Prado. In Minas Gerais, the Pataxó also live in seven distinct communities.
References and acknowledgements
Buryanan, Patxôhã teacher at the Pataxó Coroa Vermelha Indigenous School
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https://pib.socioambiental.org/
by "Maria Rosario Carvalho"
in August 2024.
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Thanks to Reserva das Jaqueiras for the space and for so much knowledge, get to know their work:
https://www.instagram.com/reservapataxodajaqueira/
Although the photos are from the Jaqueiras Reserve, the Pataxó Coroa Vermelha Indigenous School does not only serve the residents of the Pataxó village on this reserve, but also those from other villages.
Get to know the Pataxó Coroa Vermelha Indigenous School
