There is a lot to know and learn about the Amazon regions in Brazil. Spreading the culture, art and natural beauty of the region in a sustainable way is the role of Turiarte, the Forest Tourism and Crafts Cooperative.

Turiarte was founded in 2015 by community members in the Tapajós-Arapiuns Extractive Reserve and the Lago Grande Agroextractive Settlement Project, in the municipality of Santarém, both in the state of Pará.

In its initial composition, the cooperative had 70 founding members, including 54 women and 16 men, from seven communities. Today, Turiarte brings together more than 100 women and 12 communities involved.

“Our objective is to promote the improvement of the quality of life of forest communities, developing community-based tourism and promoting handicrafts made by women, such as tucumã straw”, says Ingrid Godinho, president of the Turiarte cooperative.

Tourism and crafts based on the bioeconomy

To spread local culture, Turiarte carries out individual and group tourist itineraries. The idea is to take visitors to the natural beauty typical of the vegetation near the Tapajós River and its tributaries. These tours also serve as a way to raise awareness about the importance of preserving nature and promoting sustainable family farming.

In addition, the cooperative also sells more than 43 different products made with tucumã straw, obtained from the bark of the tucumãzeiro, a fruit tree typical of the Amazon region. The technique of braiding tucumã straw with natural dyeing produced from plants in the region, is done by women and passed down between generations of local communities.

This process is capable of generating employment and income, in addition to being fundamental for the protection of forests. Thus, communities strive to preserve the forest and its natural resources, in order to guarantee the sustainability of the activity.

The Turiarte catalog contains several types of sousplat, pot rests, fruit bowls, gourd holders, cutlery holders, jewelry boxes, baskets, vases, necklaces, bracelets and earrings, among others. All products have a design inspired by local traditions.

Youth development

“Turiarte goes far beyond just providing a unique tourism experience and commercialization of forest crafts. We seek, through the cooperative, to promote collectivity, respect for social and cultural diversity, inclusion and gender equity, as well as the protection of children against sexual exploitation and child labor”, explains Ingrid Godinho.

This journey, according to the president of the cooperative, takes place through education:

“Turiarte’s role in the training and development of young people takes place through workshops and courses on digital tools, giving them the opportunity to be part of the cooperative’s group of young communicators and encourage their participation in collective action in the social movement and in activities. In this way, young people provide an alternative source of income and permanence in their own communities”, concludes Ingrid.