by Laura Preftes

The people of Xixuau (pronounced "sheesh shu ah u") understand the fundamental tenet of the sustainability movement: meeting current needs without compromising future generations. As Scottish environmentalist Christopher Clark put it, "They understand very fast that killing a jaguar could earn them 25 dollars for the sale of its skin. But a live jaguar brought in television companies, photographers and tourists. So it became a resource that went on and on and didn't end with a gunshot to the head and the sale of its skin." While much of the Amazon region continues to be threatened with deforestation and species extinction, in the 450,000 acre Xixuau Ecological Reserve, there is no logging, nor any large scale agriculture or raising of livestock, and the Xixuau people do not hunt the animal species in danger of extinction.


In 1992, with the help of Clark, the local residents and the posseiros (legal landowners) formed the Associação Amazônia so that they could have a voice in the decisions that affect the Amazon. They sold their possession of land to the association. Similar to a homeowners' association, the Associação Amazônia established covenants the Caboclos (the local inhabitants) follow, which guarantee environmental protection for the area. In the words of Christopher Clark, "The idea was to transform the local people into conservationists, and conservation into an economic resource." Since its inception, the association has taken on several projects to improve the quality of life for the residents of this extremely remote area. The association provides a health service that has helped bring malaria under control and schooling for the local children and adults. In 2002, the Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF) collaborated with the association to bring solar power and broadband wireless Internet access to the isolated area. This has greatly improved communication, education, and health care by providing access to information and to other communities. Xixuau has amalgamated the values of self-reliance and self-determination with environmental and economic sustainability. CEN actively promotes these values in other areas of the region as well.

To the southeast of Xixuau, along the banks of the Rio Tapajós (but also in the Amazon region), are the communities of Suruacá and Maguary. Like Xixuau, these remote communities suffer from the challenges of poverty, inadequate health care and lack of economic opportunities. CEN founder, Bob Bortner, managed a USAID-funded project that, in partnership with the residents and Brazilian-based Projeto Saude e Alegria (PSA), installed solar powered telecenters similar to Xixuau's in both communities. Like Xixuau, the telecenters are providing access to better health services and education for both children and adults. CEN plans to organize workshops between the residents of Xixuau, Suruacá and Maguary to share information and generate ideas on economic development opportunities such as tourism, handicrafts and medicinal products made from of local plants.

"They understood very fast that killing a jaguar could earn them 25 dollars for the sale of its skin. But a live jaguar brought in television companies, photographers and tourists. So it became a resource that went on and on and didn't end with a gunshot to the head and the sale of its skin."  Christopher Clark

The people of Xixuau are the guardians, as well as the inhabitants, of the ecological reserve. As they look toward the future, they are creating a sustainable economy and improving their standard of living through economic initiatives that respect their way of life and their forest. Ecotourism and scientific research are two ways they are generating income. The community is also developing plans for a brazil nut drying and packaging plant, a camu-camu pulp-making plant for the manufacture of a natural supplement; high in Vitamin C and amino acids, an experimental fish farm and expanded craftwork activities.

Another exciting development in the Xixuau reserve is the creation of an experimental ecological farm to grow meat (chickens and pork), vegetables and fruit. The farm will broaden the local diet from the traditional fish, rice and manioc flour and provide additional nutrients. The farm uses a high-density farming approach which use little land mass that has not been clear-cut, in order to protect the rainforest.

Although most of CEN's resources have been concentrated on the Rio Tapajós communities of Suruacá and Maguary, we have worked with Xixuau in a variety of ways. CEN supported Associação Amazônia petition to the Brazilian Government for the creation of a government recognized and supported reserve (please see  Amazon Protection Begins With Its Own People). We facilitated the initial contact between the Amazon Fund , a US-based NGO, and Associação Amazônia that resulted in an agreement to purchase lands adjacent to the reserve on which Xixuau is located. The land will be placed in trust and managed by the association. CEN has also facilitated dialog and sharing of ideas between residents of Xixuau, Suruacá and Maguary, which included a visit by Xixuau's nurse to the Tapajós communities. During this visit, the communities exchanged ideas for improving community health, 'folk" remedies and much, much more.

CEN plans to engage with Xixuau more closely over the next 12 months. We plan to organize a workshop in Xixuau, whereby residents of the communities where we work will share experiences with income generation initiatives, including tourism, handicrafts, farming and others. We plan to continue to work with the community to increase cooperation between teachers in the Tapajós and Xixuau through possible teacher-exchanges, on-line conference calls, sharing of a knowledge-based and more. Additionally, CEN plans to promote tourism to Xixuau and support the development and marketing of products made by the communities there and in the surrounding area, particularly essential oils and traditional medicines.

The people of Xixuau understand the importance of the jaguar to their future. They understand the importance of the rainforest and all who live there. Through this understanding they have built - and continue to build - a sustainable economy in balance with nature. The lessons the Xixuau share with other communities in the Amazon are lessons we can all benefit from as we look to solve the global challenges confronting us.