The Belo Monte Dam Project will be the 3rd largest in the world, diverting 80% of the Xingu river from it’s original course. Our visit with the ISA Sociambiental was a chance to experience the matter first hand. Our time in Amazonas offered insights into the culture and lifestyles of Altamira residents and the Indigenous people of the Xingu River. The songs and stories shared, including this local fisherman’s song, reflected great passion for the Xingu river.

Though the debate has lingered for decades, people are still strongly protesting this project. Belo Monte is estimated to take 7 years to build without interference from activist groups. In 1998 the Indigenous held the largest-ever protest in their history in the Amazon. While the protests are effective in raising awareness and slowing dam construction, the government has so much invested that it’s simply a matter of waiting them out. With time and money the patience of Altamira residents and Xingu tribes-people has been greatly tested. Confrontation has been heated, and has even grown violent in the past. In fact, more dirt will be upturned from this site than that of the Panama Canal. Two canals and two more dam sites will be built once the “Volta Grande”, or Big Bend area, is completed. The Canals will be 500 meters wide by 75km long and will flood 400km2 of forest, totalling 668km2.

The Statistics only speak for the macro and cartographic perspective effects on this project. We have stepped into a long debate over energy development and urban progress here in Brazil. This video shows our experience in the region and the passion people have for this beautiful part of the world; The Xingu River, Amazonas.
follow the adventure at http://getgrounded.tv/boomboombrazil and http://theboombooms.com this project is also in collaboration with the good fellas at http:/...