Palmas Tocantins

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Peixe


The Fish Lagoon turned the city into an enchanted place because of the large quantities of fish that were available during the colonial period. It is a good place for amateur fishing and boat rides. At the Tartaruga beach  you can find two kinds of Brazilian reptiles making it worth visiting: Quelônios and Tracajás.  

Distance from Palmas: 310km

History
The city of Peixe originates from the encampment of lieutenant Ramos Jubé, who stayed here serving the Governador da Província to protect the missionaries coming from Vila Boa de Goiás to Natividade against the Caneiros indians. The indians of this nomadic tribe were intelligent, good horsemen, excellent rowers and were always attacking the Arraial do Peixe (fish village). Ramos built the first houses with tiles, resembling a fort. He also iniciated the building of a house of prayer were now is the Praça Getúlio Vargas. Here a statue was made for Nossa Senhora da Abadia, the patroness of the city, celebrated yearly on the 15th of August. This much admired statue is considered to be made by the famous saint-sculptor from Goiás, Veiga Vale.
 Another version of the origin of the city has to do with pioneers that came here looking for a treasure. A treasure map left out of a document by Jesuites saying: ´On the highest rock of the Rio Santa Tereza, named Itans, is buried the biggest treasure of the Jesuits...´ As far as known no treasure has been found. Initially the location was called Santa Cruz das Itans. A flood of the river Tocantins reached a lake 2 km from the village. When the water fell, a fish was trapped with a size that was never seen before in the region. From that moment the village was known as Porto do Peixe. Later it was called Vila de Santo Antônio do Peixe. In 1938 it received its current name Peixe.

The first inhabitants suffered from the continuous attacks by the indians, who hated the white people because of the prosecution by the conquering captains and commanders. Living under a constant stress the residents seek support from Nossa Senhora da Abadia. After the statue arrived in the city the indians did no more attack.
Today the city is well structured and aiming at tourism. More than 8.000 inhabitants live on agriculture and cattle. Main products are rice, soja and corn. Some mining is done for gold, mica, cristal, limestone and clay. Wood from the ´matas´are cedar, aroeira,angico and sucupira. Fish from the river: caranhas, jaus, pacus, barbados and others.

Attractions

Praia do Peixe
Cristalclear waters and white beaches for 3km2. The riverbanks are grown with intense vegetation and offer the possibilities for camping, fishing and canoeing from June to September. It takes 10 minutes by boat to arrive here on the left banks of the river Tocantins.
Praia da Tartaruga
A large beach of 2km2, given its name for the many turtles that visit the sand. Two kinds of Brazilian reptiles are worth visiting: Quelônios and Tracajás. To arrive here you go to Porto do Peixe where you walk to the river. It then takes 15 minutes walking through the river.
Arquipélago do Tropeço
A conjunction of 366 islands forming a beautiful archipelago in the river Tocantins. The islands and rocks form currents as well as quiet places. O Tropeção (obstacle), as it is called, is a reference for the depth of the water for those who travelled accross the river in distant times. Although beautiful, the canals are dangerous for somebody not used to navigate here. The most used canal with canoes and motorboats is called Canal das Cuias. It is advised to pass this area only with a guide. You access this area by the road from Gurupi to Peixe (TO-220), next by boat from Porto do Peixe river up for 5km.

Lagoa do Peixe
According legends it was at the fish lake that an enormous fish was found, from which originates the name of the village. The lake is the historical heritage of the village. The condition of the lake is however alarming. It is located in the village.

Religious festivals
In June the  patron of the village Divino Espírito Santo e de Santo Antônio is commemorated. Then a procession is held at the river Tocantins. Boats and canoes are decorated and carry a picture of the patron.  At the church the believers sing and dance the dança da sússia (lê-se suça). It is a dance of African origin with excited and slightly erotic movements.
Folklore
The colonials looking for gold left habits, legends and traditions during the history of the village. 
The local dish is one of the highlights of Peixe culture: Arroz sirigado, feijão casado com carneiro, arroz com pequi, a caranha ensopada and a paçoca. Tipical , primitive African dances are still part of the culture of Peixe: the sússia, o tambor, a dança da garrafa, da jiquitaia, o chiu-chiu and a roda dos foliões. There are also the songs: de roda, a catira e as modinhas.

Addresses and phonenumbers

Departamento de Turismo: Av. Pedro Ludovico 063 856-1163
Hotel Santa Lidia
Choparia Mayan Drinks, Av. Ludovico, s/nº
Churrascaria Gula: Av. Lacerda, s/nº
Centro de Saude de Peixe: Praça Ananais Leones, 851  063 856-1137
Hospital Municipal de Peixe: Av. Oscar José da Silva, 500  063 856-1115
Delegacia de Policia: Av. João Visconde, s/nº; Setor Aeroporto 063 856-1163
Terminal Rodoviário de Peixe: Av. João Visconde Oliveira, s/nº
Airport: air strip 1.2 km non paved