ribeirinhas

Ribeirinhas is a term used in Brazilian Portuguese to refer to women who live in riverine communities along the rivers of the Amazon basin and other interior basins. The related term ribeirinho denotes men or mixed-gender communities; together they describe populations whose way of life is tied to river cycles. The word derives from ribeira, meaning riverbank.

Most ribeirinhas live in the Amazon region, particularly in states such as Amazonas, Pará, Acre, Rondônia, and Amapá, along major rivers and their tributaries. They inhabit small villages that often exist on stilts or high ground to cope with seasonal floods.

Ribeirinha communities maintain a strong tradition of fishing, small-scale agriculture, fish processing, and crafts; diets include mandioca and plantains, with fish as a staple. Knowledge of the river, weather, and forest resources is commonly passed through generations, and social organization is typically based on kinship and neighborhood networks. The gendered division of labor places women at the center of household economics and food preparation, though roles vary by community.

Ribeirinhas face challenges such as limited access to healthcare, education, and infrastructure; land and resource rights are often contested, and regional development projects, mining, deforestation, and hydropower can affect river health and livelihoods. Efforts to support ribeirinha communities focus on sustainable extractive livelihoods, protected river basins, and cultural preservation, while integrating them into regional planning.