Around 1000 B.C., a long time before the
official
discovery
of
Brazil,
the land in the extreme south of Bahia state was inhabited by the predecessors of the
Pataxó
Indians
(Branch: Macro - Jê; Families: Botocudos, Puri, Kamakã, Maxakalí). During the fifth century,
they were expelled to the country's interior by the Tupiniquim Indians (Macro - Tupi)
who were approaching from the south.
After the extinction of the
Tupiniquim by the Portuguese during the 16th century,
the Pataxó, who belonged to the Maxakalí family returned to their former territories.
From the approximately 11.000 Pataxó Indians who nowadays live in South Bahia,
about 5.000 of them live in 12 settlements
(Barra Velha, Boca da Mata, Meio da Mata, Guaxuma, Trevo do Parque ...)
of the Barra Velha
reserve
adjacent to the park area.
Since 2001, the Monte Pascoal National Park is administered jointly by the
Brazilian Environmental Institute (IBAMA) and the Pataxó Indians.
The main
ecotouristic attractions
are actually limited to the contact with the Indians, an ecological hike to the top of Mount Pascoal (536 m)
and a mountain bike ride from the park entrance to Barra Velha on the coast.
See also:
Porto Seguro - Salvador
