Tamandua News- October 2010

October 2010

The loss of an employee and exceptional friend.

On August 13, Polion de Medeiros Alves died in a motorcycle accident, at the age of 39. Polion had been working with us for 10 years, on a small farm situated at the dam called Açude dos Cegos, in the municipality of Catingueira.

Because of the terrible droughts that hit the North-east, in 1998 we acquired a plot of land there that could be irrigated the whole year round. It was set aside for the breeding of our elite sheep, of the Santa Inês breed, and today for the production of breeding ewes crossed with the Dorper breed, for the Águas da Tamanduá project.

Polion faced this challenge and moved there, where he lived happily and added another four children to his family. A skillful worker, with great responsibility and dedication, his work was supported by Alan, the vet, and the two technicians, Rogéria and Elcione.

He was extremely good at caring for the animals and a careful irrigation worker, enjoying his work and keeping our expectations in mind; our animals never lacked for anything. The visits to Cegos, reached by a canoe crossing, were always jolly and relaxed, as the work was always perfect. He did not drink and was a family man – and it was a very united family.

On that fatal day, returning home, he was hit by an irresponsible drunk driver, who drove away and did not even assist Polion’s passenger, neighbor and friend, Zé Dias, who suffered an exposed leg fracture. Polion, who was also wearing a helmet, died instantly at the site of the accident.

He leaves his widow, Maria José, in great need of support, and his children Mateus, 12 years old, Petrônio, 9, Mailson, 7, Carlos, 6, and Poliana, 2 – all playful and well brought up.

We will try to keep in touch with this very dear family, and alleviate somehow the trauma of this loss.

Long live the Arraiá da Tamanduá!

The Arraiá da Tamanduá (a country folk party) was successfully brought back to life this year, thanks to the huge efforts of Eliete. Now living in João Pessoa, she has a special affection for Fazenda Tamanduá, where she lived for more than 20 years.

She is the daughter of our late friend Eliseu, the cowboy. The “mother” of this event, which had become a tradition over more than 10 years, she was very sad to see that, after she left, this festive moment, which was always held in August, did not thrive and was abandoned by the older people.

Only her enthusiasm and her skill at persuading people could revive this festive tradition.

From June on, Eliete decided to spend the weekends at the Farm, which involved a 700 km journey, to form the couples and rehearse with the group.
Finally the day arrived, and in the courtyard of Zé Bié’s House, the Museum, the Arraiá Tamanduá was reborn.

Before the presentation of the quadrilles, we were very happily surprised when Rubens and Thiago put on a play illustrating a story in which they tell the life of two friends who, due to the difficulties of life, had to take different paths:

There were two boys who were great friends and did everything together, but destiny decided to separate them; one of them was forced to move to the South in order to make a living, as in that dry sertão region there was hardly any condition for survival.

Some time went by until one day João was walking and suddenly saw his friend he had not seen for a long time.

João: Well, is it really you, José? How smart you look, you look like a doctor;

José: And who are you? I don’t recognize you.

João: I’m Joãozinho, my friend. Severino’s son, don’t you remember me? We used to play so much in the brooks of Conceição.

José: I don’t believe it, is it really you? Gosh, how I’ve missed you, my friend! And those games we played together among the oiticica trees, that was great!

But how are things around here, Joãozinho? And that brunette you were always after? Did you manage to win her?

João: Yes, of course. I’m a grandfather already and soon I’ll be a great-grandfather.

José: But things have changed a great deal around here, that's for sure. Does this farm still belong to Mr. Adma?

João: No. But didn’t you hear about it?

José: About what?

João: Soon after you left, some people came here all the way from Europe and bought everything, and then they changed all that dry land into productive land. They planted mangoes in all the “braxis”. Look, lots of people come here from all around to pick mangoes in order to send them abroad.

José: Really, is that so, Joãozinho? How come? All this in the sertão?

João: Well, you haven’t seen anything yet. Here we have something called sustainability, everything you take from the soil returns to the soil. Nobody throws rubbish on the roads, here, everything is very well organized indeed, see?

José: Well, my friend. I think they’ve managed to create an oasis in the sertão, it must be a paradise, isn’t it?

João: That’s true. I grew up here with my parents, my brothers and sisters, surrounded by friends, and never needed to move to the South in order to make a living, because I found everything I ever needed right here.

José: Me too, Joãozinho. A simple person, but we had everything we needed to be happy. I think this is a paradise, so my friend, we must celebrate, let’s throw a great party!

João: That’s true. Well, my friends, we’re having a great chat but I ask you permission to start another “Arraiá da Tamanduá!”

After a brief presentation of the younger participants, 20 couples invaded the courtyard and the quadrille reigned for almost an hour, bringing enjoyment to both participants and spectators. Finally, the two trios of the Farm that play forro pé de serra, the Trio Tamanduá and Tamanco de Mulher (“Woman’s Clog”), took turns performing until sunrise, to everyone’s delight.

Fazenda Tamandua would appreciate to have your comments!

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Fazenda Tamanduá
Caixa Postal 65 - Patos / Paraíba - CEP 58700-970 - Brasil
Tel.(83)3422-7070 Fax(83)3422-7071