The Caboclos

"Caboclo" is the word used to describe the local people who live along the rivers in Amaz⌠nia. It comes from the Tupi Indian word caa-boc – but in Portuguese it refers to anyone of mixed Indian/European blood. The caboclos are descendants of the early settlers, black slaves, and the Amazon Indians who lived in Amaz⌠nia originally. Many caboclos have distinct Indian features.

When travelling the rivers in Amaz⌠nia, you will frequently see caboclo people running up and down the rivers in canoes and boats. Life for the caboclos is very simple. Most live in small villages along Amaz⌠nia's many rivers. They farm a little – raising a handful of cattle and growing fruit, nuts, sugar and coffee. Much of their food is also obtained by hunting, fishing, and gathering wild plants from the nearby rainforest.

Chores are shared among the whole family. But is is usually men who do the hunting, fishing and heavy work, while it is the women and younger children who do the washing and household chores. Most homes are without electricity and/or modern appliances – so work such as washing clothes needs to be carried out manually. For example, clothes are usually washed by hand along the riverbank.

Caboclo children learn how to swim at a very young age. When travelling along the river, it is common to see small children in canoes fishing to help feed the family. They also have many other chores to do. In their spare time they have lots of fun playing in the river. For children living in villages, there is almost always a soccer field and other places to play.

Getting a good education is difficult for many caboclo children living in remote areas. The operation of rural schools is sometimes uncertain, depending on the availability of teachers – and it is common for some families to keep their children home to help with farming and fishing. Even getting to school can be a problem during periods of seasonal flooding. As a result, illiteracy rates are high. However, there are now several projects working to find solutions to these problems.

Because many caboclos live next to rivers, they have adapted to the rivers' changing patterns. Many caboclo houses are raised up on high poles so that the living areas remain well above the water in the peak water season. Other houses are built on giant rafts which rise and fall with the floodwaters. Similar shelters are built for cattle and livestock. During this period, children have no playgrounds in which to play, so they must remain on the platforms until the waters recede. The only way to visit other houses is by boat or canoe.

Normally a caboclo family's house consists of a kitchen, a living room, and a bedroom which is shared by the entire family (often six or more people).