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The Pirahã inhabit a tract of lands traversed
by the Marmelos river and almost the entire length of
the Maici river, located in the municipality of Humaitá
in Amazonas state. The Maici river is one of the sources
of the Marmelos river, an affluent of the left bank
of the Madeira river. The dry and rainy seasons provoke
important alterations in the region’s occupation.
The Marmelos is a wide black water river, whose shores
present dense forest growth and leafy trees, vegetation
typical to tropical rainforest. In the dry season, white
sandy beaches are exposed, interspersed by stretches
of rocks and islands, along its entire length. In the
rainy season, the waters invade the forest, forming
extensive igapós (flooded areas of forest), which
allow only the canopies of trees and ‘high lands’
to appear.
Journeying upriver on the Marmelos, a long straight
tract can be seen, called ‘Large Stretch:’
this marks the start of Pirahã territory. Proceeding
further in the same direction, close to the mouth of
the Maici river, one of the main beaches on the Marmelos
can be found, a strategic settlement site, since it
provides access for exploration of both rivers. Crossing
the mouth of the Maici, still on the Marmelos, numerous
beaches, lakes, and creeks are passed, as well as the
Juqui and Sepoti rivers. The latter marks the limits
of Pirahã territory, since their topographic
and toponymic references run out on its borders.
The Maici river is narrow and deep. Hundreds
of Brazil-nut trees can be seen while travelling along
its length. Occupation on this river extends from its
mouth to the areas bordering its source: the bridge
crossing it on the Transamazonian highway, 90 kilometers
from the town of Humaitá, marks the limit of
Pirahã territory. The Maici flows through an
upland area, providing strategic points for exploiting
its 17 Brazil-nut tree stands. Small beaches form during
the summer which serve as temporary dwelling sites.
The Pirahã land was demarcated in 1994,
its northern border being formed by the Marmelos river,
from Folharal creek to Água Azul creek, following
the left bank of the latter river along its full course;
the southern limit comprises the bridge over the Maici
river on the Transamazonian highway; the eastern and
western borders are composed of an extensive tract moving
inland more than 8 kilometers from the river’s
left and right shores respectively. Overall, the region
comprises approximately 400 thousand hectares within
a perimeter of 410 kilometers.
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