P15_353

When the fisherman wins
ArapaimaPirarucu – (Arapaima gigas) – from the Tupi piraru’ku, red fish). The largest Brazilian scaled fresh water fish and possibly the largest in the world. This fish is very tasty, rivaling cod. Almost boneless, (only backbone and ribs), it is a meaty fish and is separated into two large flaps which, salted and dried in the sun, are sold at the open-air markets, exported and even smuggled. It is widely consumed by the populace and in hotels. It is also eaten fresh, fried, baked, and in the form of fish croquettes. Its bony tongue is used to grate the guaraná cake. Its scales are used as exotic, but very efficient nail files, and are also used to make hand crafted products. (Arapaima gigas)
In Paraná do Ramos, a channel that runs parallel to the right bank of the Amazon River, I met some fishermen who were going to distant lakes and full of fish. I joined that enterprise and we marched for a few hours. They told me that at the time of the flood, that region was completely flooded, and that now, with the low water, the fish were concentrated in closed ponds. They had a very clear purpose, they wanted to take home the dear arapaima. And they fished all they could carry. In the photo, the fish caught by the fisherman’s hook fights in a last attempt at freedom.

P15_353 – Leonide Principe
Camera Nikon F5 with Nikkor lens 80-200mm f2.8 – Diapositive Film Fujichrome Velvia 50 – Scanner: Nikon SUPER COOLSCAN 5000 ED
Digitised from a positive on film –
Original file size: 5175px x 3553px
Location Taken: Paraná do Ramos (Parintins – Amazonas Brazil)
Date Taken: 1991
Collection: Fishes – Persons shown: none
Keywords:
pirarucu, Arapaima gigas, peixes, fishes, FAUNA, animals, Paraná do Ramos, Amazonas, Amazônia, Amazon, Amazonian, Brazil, Brasil, Brazilian, América do Sul, South America
EN01 When the fisherman wins P15_353
PT01 Quando o pescador ganha P15_353
© – Leonide Principe, all right reserved
www.leonideprincipe.site

P25_581

Fisherman’s joy
The fishermen’s excursion was not a stroke of luck. They knew the result, they knew the place well and its desired residents. This is an Amazonian peculiarity, the riverside people know how the ecosystem works, which is generous and plentiful. From the first explorers to the present day, the reports of these adventurers clearly showed how hunger surrounded them due to their lack of knowledge of the region. Another limitation to the abundant Amazonian environment may come from changing the ecological balance or from the exploitation of predatory fishing. However, when the environment remains in its proper use, wise residents can rest assured that there will always be food on their table. The hooks, prepared with a piece of meat, hook one arapaimaafter another.

P25_581 – Leonide Principe
Camera Nikon F5 with Nikkor lens 80-200mm f2.8 – Diapositive Film Fujichrome Velvia 50 – Scanner: Nikon SUPER COOLSCAN 5000 ED
Digitised from a positive on film –
Original file size: 5323px x 3540px
Location Taken: Paraná do Ramos (Barreirinha – Amazonas Brazil)
Date Taken: 1991
Collection: Fishes – Persons shown: -name not available
Keywords:
pirarucu, Arapaima gigas, peixes, fishes, FAUNA, animals, pescaria, fishing, ribeirinhos, riverines, riverside dwellers, caboclosThere is the caboclo of terra firme (highlands), more dedicated to hunting and agriculture, he knows and moves with agility in the dense forest of the highlands. There is the riverine that inhabits the riverbanks, more dedicated to fishing and short-term crops following the flow of the waters. Brown skin, the result of centuries of miscegenation between native Indians and many other peoples – mainly Brazilians from the Northeast, Portuguese, Bolivians, Peruvians, Colombians, Syrians, Lebanese and Jews – pioneers from the time before the rubber boom, or who took part in the boom. Over time, caboclos absorbed the ancient wisdom derived from many indigenous ethnicities., cabocloThere is the caboclo of terra firme (highlands), more dedicated to hunting and agriculture, he knows and moves with agility in the dense forest of the highlands. There is the riverine that inhabits the riverbanks, more dedicated to fishing and short-term crops following the flow of the waters. Brown skin, the result of centuries of miscegenation between native Indians and many other peoples – mainly Brazilians from the Northeast, Portuguese, Bolivians, Peruvians, Colombians, Syrians, Lebanese and Jews – pioneers from the time before the rubber boom, or who took part in the boom. Over time, caboclos absorbed the ancient wisdom derived from many indigenous ethnicities., GENTE, PEOPLE, Barreirinha, Amazonas, Amazônia, Amazon, Amazonian, Brazil, Brasil, Brazilian, América do Sul, South America
EN2 The fisherman joy P25_581
PT2 Alegria do pescador P25_581
© – Leonide Principe, all right reserved
www.leonideprincipe.site

P02_030

Fisherman’s livelihood
Mr Chico cleaned the pirarucu (Arapaima gigas) with an expertise accumulated over many fisheries, he prepared the mantas de pirarucu to be salted and dried in the sun. So the fish can be stored and later sold in markets. That day he salted the whole fish, leaving only the belly part, called the ventrechaFish steak from the animal’s belly area; belly, ventrisca.. That would be our dinner: his wife, Dona Rosa, washed the fish in the river, put it in a pan with the same river water and put it on the fire, adding just a little salt and some spices, cebolinha e cheiro-verdeChives and cilantro – Essential herbs to accompany fish, especially in stews (fresh fish cooked in a rich broth). The riverine woman grows her spices and medicinal herbs in suspended beds, usually made from old canoes., that she had close to home. The taste of that dinner, in the light of the lamp, was unforgettable for me, I couldn’t understand how that piece of fish cooked in that muddy water could have that delicious flavor, more refined than my finest gourmet dinners, in the capitals of the world.

P02_030 – Leonide Principe
Camera Nikon F5 with Nikkor lens 80-200mm f2.8 – Diapositive Film Fujichrome Velvia 50 – Scanner: Nikon SUPER COOLSCAN 5000 ED
Digitised from a positive on film –
Original file size: 3650px x 5425px
Location Taken: Paraná do Ramos (Barreirinha – Amazonas Brazil)
Date Taken: 1991
Collection: Fishes – Persons shown: -name not available
Keywords:
pirarucu, Arapaima gigas, peixes, fishes, FAUNA, animals, pescaria, fishing, ribeirinhos, riverines, riverside dwellers, caboclos, caboclo, GENTE, PEOPLE, Barreirinha, Amazonas, Amazônia, Amazon, Amazonian, Brazil, Brasil, Brazilian, América do Sul, South America
EN3 Fisherman’s livelihood P02_030
PT3 Sustento do pescador P02_030
© – Leonide Principe, all right reserved
www.leonideprincipe.site