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Pataxó Indians, the native inhabitants of Bahia
 In Brazil there are about 215 Indian tribes as well as more than 180 different languages. These figures show the diversity of cultures and traditions shaping this country.
COROA VERMELA
The region of southern Bahia is home to the Pataxó Indians. Only a few kilometers from Santo André lies Coroa Vermelha, one of the major settlements of Bahia. The Indian Olympics were carried out here.
In Coroa Vermelha there is a large Indian market. Here you will find all handicrafts manufactured by the Indians: hunting bows, clothes, wooden carvings, wooden bowls, articles from coconut shells, jewelry from seeds and much more.
RESERVA PATAXÓ DA JAQUEIRA
From Coroa Vermelha you reach the Indian reservation Jaqueira in a few minutes. This is an area of 827 Hectares (2,044 acres), under strict nature preservation. For a small recompense you have the opportunity to have a guide give you an impression into the secrets of the Pataxó culture. Be enchanted by traditional dances; learn to handle bows and arrows. In the traditional Indian town you may also try Pataxó dishes and drinks.
Guidances through the Mata Atlântica completes this interesting and instructive excursion.
Annually on the 19th April the town celebrates Dia o Índio.
ALEDIA MATA MEDONHA
In Santo Antônio, only a few kilometers from Santo André, the possibility exists to visit the town Aledia Mata Medonha. It can only be reached via a natural road, or by boat or canoe across the Rio Santo Antônio.
The village may only be visited with a guide. About 40 families live here on 500 hectares (1,236 acres) of land and offers visitors traditional handicraft articles.
BARRA VELHA
About 50 kilometers (31 miles) south of Porto Seguro Monte Pascoal, a mountain with a height of approx. 500 meters (1,759 feet), is situated. Legends tell that this was the first piece of land seen by the Cabral fleet in 1500.
Today the Monte Pascoal, part of the national park by mutual name with 23,000 hectares (57,000 acres) of impressive stock of Atlantic rain forest. In Barra Vehlha on the river Monte Pascoal there are approx. 300 Pataxó Families living.
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