Jagua, A Journey Into Body Art from the Amazon

Book excerpt: In search of the jagua fruit, author Carine Fabius takes readers on a journey into the deepest realms of the Amazon jungle, where a prized tattoo ink weaves magical tales into the heart and culture of the region's indigenous people. Written in a breezy, engaging style, the book includes: - 40 pages of gorgeous color photographs, including contributions by noted documentary photographer and travel writer Cristina Mittermeier - Over 25 black & white photographs and illustrations - The author's personal account of her and her artist/explorer husband's journey into the world of temporary body art, beginning with henna and culminating with the discovery of the jagua fruit's promise to deliver a beautiful tattoo that looks real -- yet fades after two weeks - Excerpts from her husband Pascal Giacomini's diary as he travels on a motorized dugout canoe into the deepest reaches of the jungle, where he spends weeks with an indigenous group called the Matses - Brief histories of various indigenous groups associated with jagua - Personal and insightful essays by veteran explorers and lovers of the Amazon - Information on the medicinal and mystical properties of the jagua fruit - Magical tales and beliefs surrounding this extraordinary fruit - A short history of tattoos - A short history of ink - Frequently asked questions (and answers, of course!) about jagua tattoos - Overview of the Amazon, the Indians that populate the area, and issues that currently dominate throughout the region - Traditional tales from the Amazon