The Raw Gold of Brazil: Buffalos from Marajó island.

•

The island of Marajó sits at the estuary of the Amazon and is by all measures the largest riverine island in the world. Its 40,000 square kilometers make it as large as Belgium. It is the 35th largest island in the world. It's located directly on the Equator and is hot and humid all year long.

The only way to reach the island is by water on a three-hour ferry from the nearest major city Belém, since there is no land connection. Even on the island most transportation is by boat through small canals, Specially during the annual rainy season when half of the island is flooded.

The major economic activity on the island is ranching and there are significant herds of cattle and buffalo. The estimated buffalo population of Marajó is 600,000 which is just about three times the human population. The water buffalos raised on Marajó fits perfectly in the very low and flat ground, flooded during most of the year.
The animals are raised both for their meat and for their milk.

Demand for buffalo meat has grown tremendously in recent years and Marajó is now able to supply most of the demand in Brazil and there is an increasing market for export as well.

Fazenderos or Vaqueiros, also known as the Brazilian cowboys, are traditionally from this northeastern region, and emerged from the integration of white colonisers with native Brazilian indigenous communities around the 15th century, when cattle and horses were introduced to the country.

Life flows slowly and in absolute lack of comfort and technology and brings time back in the days.

Marajó, Parà, Brazil.