Indigenous People promote tourism with natural beauties in village in Brazil

By Davi Vittorazzi – From Cenarium

CUIABÁ (MT) – A true paradise on Earth can be visited by tourists in an indigenous village located in Mato Grosso. Specifically, in the Rio Sacre Village, the site has waterfalls and crystal-clear waters that leave visitors enchanted.

The village is located between the municipalities of Campo Novo do Parecis and Sapezal. The region features a waterfall with a stunning 5.6-meter drop, which merges with the emerald-green waters of the river.

Open to non-indigenous people since 2019, the project to promote tourism in the community is led by Ivo André Zokenazokemae, 46, an indigenous man from the Paresi Haliti ethnicity. He left his profession as a nurse to dedicate himself to local tourism.

Through these visits, he says that tourists not only experience the natural beauty but also learn about indigenous culture. “It’s a way for us to open our doors and break paradigms,” he tells REVISTA CENARIUM.

After its opening, it didn’t take long for adventurous enthusiasts who love exploring natural wonders to start visiting Rio Sacre and admiring the grandeur of the Salto da Mulher waterfall.

To enter the bathing area, visitors must pay a day-use fee of R$ 35 per person. The site offers food, beverages, and kiosk rentals (with additional costs). It is open during the week and on weekends, though the latter is more popular for receiving visitors.

The work of maintaining the space is shared among the families living in the village. Each family is responsible for a specific area, which also has different entrances. Their tasks include cleaning and maintaining the site.

Ivo also describes the project as important not only for the economy but for showcasing the reality of indigenous people today. “We show many people who we really are—the contemporary indigenous people of the 21st century, the digital age, and the globalized world. So, for us, it’s nothing new [to know how we live]. Many people started visiting our tourist attractions and began to understand that it’s nothing like what had been said or passed on by others,” he explains.

He further states that through ethnotourism, social interaction between visitors is possible. “Beyond leisure and relaxation, we also develop activities that allow people the opportunity to learn about indigenous culture and local tourism,” concludes Ivo.

Translated from Portuguese by Gustô Alves