Jangada

Jangada is a term used in Brazil to refer to two distinct things: a traditional fishing raft of the northeast coast and a municipality in Mato Grosso state.

Jangada (fishing raft) describes a lightweight craft built from several wooden logs lashed together to form a raft with a simple deck, a single mast, and a triangular lateen sail. It is steered by a rudder and often propelled with oars. Constructed from locally available woods, jangadas are used in nearshore and offshore fishing and are closely associated with communities along the coast, particularly in Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte, and Paraíba. Historically, jangadas enabled fishermen to venture beyond the reef into sea lanes in search of lobster, tuna, and other species, relying on wind, currents, and navigational skill. The craft is an enduring symbol of traditional artisanal fishing in Brazil’s Northeast and features in regional culture, crafts, and folklore. In modern times, jangadas continue to be built and used by small-scale fishers and are sometimes employed for tourism or educational demonstrations, with safety practices and regulatory oversight increasingly emphasized in coastal communities.

Jangada is also the name of a municipality in Mato Grosso state, located in the Central-West region of Brazil. The locality covers both urban and rural areas and participates in the state’s broader agricultural and regional development activities. The two uses of the name are unrelated in function, though both reflect regional Brazilian culture and geography.