Josef is weaving a basket out of palm fronds. People make what they need out of whatever is nearby.

Josef's ancestors are "Indians" (natives, or indigenous). They were the first people to live in Brazil. His family  does not live any more like the traditional "Indians". Only a few tribes are still living in a traditional way, hidden deep in jungle areas. 

When the Portuguese people first came to Brazil 500 years ago, the Tupi people were the ones they most often saw. Today most of the animals have Tupi names. Nearly all the rivers and mountains, and many of the towns have Tupi names. 

Josef had great respect for the Indians, because they know so much about the medicines that come from all the different plants in the jungle. 

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