- BEST FOR: Art & History.
- WHERE: In the northeastern region of the state of Minas Gerais, about 6h distant from Montes Claros airport.
- WHEN: Better from December to September.
- HOW LONG: From 5 to 7 days.
A variety of arts and crafts appreciated throughout the country.
The Jequitinhonha River Valley, thanks to its arts and culture projects, is seen by many as “the Brazil that works”. Many of these communities have no satellite coverage, but they have a wealth of interesting stories to tell: Seize every opportunity to take part in a conversation. The rich and varied arts and crafts of the region are known and appreciated throughout Brazil, and along with its cultural traditions give this river valley huge potential for tourist development. Beautiful dolls and seductive half-bodiednamoradeiras dreaming of their love are among the objects made from the region’s clay. The crafts people’s work, after much technical and aesthetic refinement, has earned them renown and a special place in Brazil’s galleries and museums as well as overseas.
Stories you’ll be able to tell when you get back:
Clay is the language of a maroon slave community (called a quilombo in Portuguese) of south-east Brazil.
HIGHLIGHTS
Apart from visits to artisans’ workshops and houses, the river valley experience includes typical local food (pequi, carne de sol, flours, cachaça) and traditional celebrations.
- Make your own clay object.
- Workshops in Minas cuisine.
- Enjoy an evening of serestas (serenades) in Diamantina.
- Meet Masters of the local culture.
- Visit with clay craftspeople, enjoy a doce de leite (“dulce de leche / caramel”) workshop.
- Meet the people who prospect for and dig out the clay from the deposits, and understand how they work it.