By Enrico Marone
The photographic exhibition by Enrico Marone, entitled "Traditional Communities of the Tapajós National Forest", offers an immersive look into the traditional Indigenous communities inhabiting the Tapajós-Arapiuns Extractive Reserve. These images capture the symbiosis between people, forest, and rivers, revealing how local communities live in harmony with nature and deeply depend on water resources for their livelihood and culture.
In the communities of Jamaraquá and São Marcos, water and the forest are inseparable elements of daily life. The photographs show the practice of artisanal fishing and the spiritual and material connection these people have with their surrounding environment. The art of fishing is portrayed in detail: from the traditional techniques used by the Munduruku Indigenous people to the use of nets and spears in subsistence fishing. The rainy seasons and the dynamics of the rivers shape the rhythm of life in these communities, reflecting a deep understanding and adaptation to natural cycles.
Marone captures everyday scenes, such as a child playing in the waters of the Tapajós River or a family navigating in a traditional boat, moments that highlight the coexistence between humans and nature. The exhibition also emphasises the role of fishing in ensuring the food security of families and the use of ancestral methods that continue to be passed down from generation to generation.
Through this series of images, the viewer is invited to contemplate and appreciate the rich biodiversity and cultural practices that sustain life in the Tapajós National Forest and its waters, encouraging reflection on the preservation of ecosystems and respect for the communities that have inhabited and protected this region for centuries.