How the Communities on the Croa River Live: The communities that live along the Croa River, in the municipality of Cruzeiro do Sul, in Acre, follow a way of life that is closely linked to the forest and the waters that surround them. With traditional habits preserved over generations, the riverside dwellers find in nature everything they need to live, from food and housing to essential elements for their cultural and spiritual practices.
Livelihood and local economy
The main source of livelihood for the Croa River communities is artisanal fishing, family farming and extractivism. The river dwellers fish daily for fish such as tucunaré, tambaqui and surubim, which are consumed by the families and also sold at local fairs. Hunting, although less frequent due to environmental laws and awareness-raising, is still part of some families’ food culture.
In recent years, ecotourism has become a growing economic activity. Some communities receive visitors interested in getting to know the forest, taking canoe trips and experiencing traditional ayahuasca rituals. Community-based tourism has helped to strengthen the local economy without compromising environmental preservation.
Housing and infrastructure
The houses on the Croa River are built simply, usually of wood, raised on stilts to avoid flooding during the flood season. All the houses have conventional electricity and do not rely on solar panels or generators. The water supply comes from the river itself and is filtered or boiled before consumption.
Access to basic services such as health and education is limited. Some communities have riverside schools, where teachers teach children in multigrade classes. For medical care, residents often have to travel to Cruzeiro do Sul, which can be a challenge during periods of flood or drought. However, traditional healing practices, such as the use of medicinal plants and the knowledge of the shamans, are still widely used to treat illnesses.
Culture and Spirituality
How the Communities on the Croa River Live: Spirituality plays a central role in the lives of the communities on the Croa River. Many of them maintain the tradition of using ayahuasca in sacred ceremonies conducted by shamans and spiritual leaders. These rituals are performed for healing, self-knowledge and connection with nature.
In addition, community festivals, storytelling and rituals linked to the cycle of nature are part of everyday life. The way of life is based on values of cooperation and respect for the environment, reflecting the ancestral wisdom that balances the relationship between man and the forest.
Preservation and challenges
The Rio Croa communities play a fundamental role in protecting the forest. They adopt sustainable natural resource management practices and resist the predatory exploitation of the Amazon. However, they face challenges such as a lack of access to public services, climate change that affects the periods of flooding and drought, and pressure from external activities that threaten their lands.
Despite the difficulties, the river dwellers continue to live in harmony with the river and the forest, preserving their culture and passing on their knowledge to new generations. The Croa River is more than a territory; it is a home where tradition, nature and spirituality intertwine, forming one of the last refuges of Amazonian wisdom.
