ATURIÁ: an Amazonian tree (Machaerium lunatum) of the Leguminosae, with long twisted branches.

BATUÍRA: common name for various species of wading birds, such as plovers and oystercatchers.

CAÇULA: a term, of African origin, for the youngest child in a family, or the younger of twins.

CACHAÇA: cheap and very strong liquor distilled from sugarcane juice.

CHORINHO: a musical ensemble consisting predominantly of wind instruments in which the flute takes the lead, popular throughout Brazil; by extension, the music they play, which is often sentimental, sometimes lively.

COPAIBA: a plant (Copaifera officianalis) common in the Amazon, which produces a clear oil used for medicinal purposes.

CRAJIRU: one of the most popular medicinal herbs in the Amazon area. The infusion made with its leaves is used to cure colic and stomachache. The liquid from its boiled leaves is used to treat muscle pain, swelling, and to speed the healing of wounds.

CUPUAÇU: Amazonian tree (Theobroma grandiflorum) whose fruit is a large velvety capsule like a cocoa bean, with a white pulp and large number of seeds. The seeds make a kind of chocolate; the pulp is used for drinks and sweets.

CURIMATÃ: the name of several species of fish of the Prochilodus genus, which feed in the muddy bottoms of rivers.

DARBUK: a small drum, made with single skin, common in the Middle East. In Lebanon it is also known as durbaka.

DOLPHIN: the white river dolphin, common in the Amazon, which has a rich existence in local folklore. It is supposed to seduce girls and carry them off to the bottom of the river. Illegitimate children are called “dolphin’s children.” Its eye is infallible as a love charm.

FAROFA: a dish made of manioc flour fried with pieces of egg, meat, etc. It is often used as a stuffing.

GAZAL: a kind of amorous and erotic poetry, common in Persian and Arabic, and structured in couplets. The Arabic word means a seductive dance, or swaying of the hips.

GUARANÁ: a climbing plant (Paullinia cupana) native to the Amazon, whose fruit is used to make a fizzy drink very popular throughout Brazil.

HELICONIA: a plant (Heliconia rostrata) that can be more than nine feet high, native to Amazonia, with slender stalks and long red leaves with yellow edges; much used for decoration.

INGÁ: a fruit tree (Inga edulis) much cultivated in Amazonia and other parts of Latin America and the Caribbean. The fruit has white, sweetish flesh and is eaten raw. It is known in the West Indies as the ice cream bean.

JACAMIM: name given to various birds of the Psophia family, native to the Amazon, which are large, with long legs and necks, and have a loud cry; known in English as agami or trumpeter.

JAÇANÃ: a water bird (Jacana spinosa) similar to rails and moorhens, with long toes that allow it to walk on floating plants.

JAMBO: a tree of Asian origin (Eugenia jambos) with pink fruit, known in English as rose apple.