PROJECTS: The Myth of Silence

A MYTH OF SILENCE –– a forthcoming book 

*This project is support by The Alan Hagman Grant (NPPF) and the International Women's Media Foundation (IWMF) 

A Myth of Silence explores the intricate relationship between the visible and invisible realms of the Amazonian landscape while highlighting the interwoven narratives of mythology and the reality of sexual violence in the region. The boto encantado holds particular significance despite the danger it harbors and the fragility of its existence as an endangered species. By emphasizing the resilience and strength of women in the face of adversity, this project seeks to empower survivors and break the silence surrounding gender-based violence. 

>> The following are select images from the book project << 

The legend of the dolphin has captured the imagination of many indigenous and traditional peoples throughout the Amazon rainforest, but beneath its enchanting facade lies a darker reality of violence against girls and women. Throughout remote riverside communities, ribeirinhos, Brazil's traditional river people, have shared a popular folktale about the mystical pink dolphin, or boto in Portuguese, that transforms into a charming man and impregnates women along the riverbanks, only to disappear before dawn, changing back into a dolphin. 

Just as the river constantly ebbs and flows, so do the boundaries between the human and spirit worlds. The folktale embodies the intricate connection between traditional peoples and the rainforest that sustains them. Its origin of the legend dates back to its violent colonial history and exploitation of the region. For many women, these stories are not just mere myths. They reflect actual encounters and cautionary tales against certain dangers or behaviors. Sometimes, women have used the boto myth to protect themselves to explain an unwanted pregnancy. According to Gilzete Passos Magalhães, a psychologist specializing in gender- based violence, mythology provides a way to interpret complex issues about the human experience.  

A vast network of rivers isolates communities from social services attempting to deter violence. The toughest battle is at home, where machismo is difficult to change. "Just as we chase cases of violence against women, we always follow the myth," said Pablo Cardoso Maia, a psychologist I interviewed on Marajo Island, which suffers from one of the lowest human development indexes in Brazil.  

Brazil ranks among the most dangerous places for women despite laws against gender-based violence. Government figures show an 83% rise in sexual abuse cases among riverside families from 2011 to 2017. Social workers say that social isolation from the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated abuse in the region.