Amazon River Sun: The Tapirape Fishing Week comes to a close with Goo taking first place in the annual Barrel Race.

From left: Goo, Micke and Helen - winners of the barrel race.
Photos by Persephone Bolero

By Persephone Bolero

AMAZON — The Tapirape have packed up their temporary camp on the beaches east of the Red Coast and made the trek back home. Before wrapping up their annual Fishing Week, the notoriously native tribe held the annual Barrel Race.

With a time of 10 minutes and 49 seconds, Goo took first prize. Coming in second is native advocate Micke Avora, at 11 minutes and 20 seconds. Helen of the Xoco, with 11 minutes and 23 seconds, came in a respectable third in the race.

Goo paddles fiercely.

In the race, contestants rowed barrels along a river route, navigating rocks, crocodiles and whirlpools.

Honorable mentions went to Rachel van Dam of the Xoco, who took fifth place at 12 minutes and 29 seconds. Silvia, also of the Xoco, came in at 12 minutes and 18 seconds.

While the Xoco took many of the top spots, it’s unclear if that was due to the large population of the tribe or its members athleticism. Xoco Chieftess Khaing Zar claimed it was due to their hangovers and refusal to use proper bathroom facilities.

“My sisters were all at a marriage ceremony and the party afterwards was a little wild and some drank too much. They all had hangovers this morning,” Zar said.

Tapirape Shaman Whispering Wind couldn't
put the pipe down even to paddle.

Zar added that by doing their business where ever they happen to be when the fancy strikes them, they fertilize their crops. This provides them with an abundance of food to make their contestants stronger, she claimed.

However, experts stress the importance of good sanitation and analyses have shown that the failure to use modern facilities may be contributing to cholera outbreaks along the river near the major tribes.

Whatever the case, the cholera and other diseases didn’t prevent the contestants and audience from enjoying the Fishing Week finale.