Jagua, A Journey Into Body Art from the Amazon

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&#39;s indigenous people. <br><br>Written in a breezy, engaging style, the book includes:<br><br>– 40 pages of gorgeous color photographs, including contributions by noted documentary photographer and travel writer Cristina Mittermeier<br>– Over 25 black & white photographs and illustrations<br>– The author&#39;s personal account of her and her artist/explorer husband&#39;s journey into the world of temporary body art, beginning with henna and culminating with the discovery of the jagua fruit&#39;s promise to deliver a beautiful tattoo that looks real &mdash; yet fades after two weeks<br>– Excerpts from her husband Pascal Giacomini&#39;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 Mats&eacute;s<br>– Brief histories of various indigenous groups associated with jagua<br>– Personal and insightful essays by veteran explorers and lovers of the Amazon<br>– Information on the medicinal and mystical properties of the jagua fruit<br>– Magical tales and beliefs surrounding this extraordinary fruit<br>– A short history of tattoos<br>– A short history of ink<br>– Frequently asked questions (and answers, of course!) about jagua tattoos<br>– Overview of the Amazon, the Indians that populate the area, and issues that currently dominate throughout the region<br>– Traditional tales from the Amazon