War on Want:
The babaçu women or quebradeiras gather the babaçu nuts in woven baskets.
War on Want:
The quebradeiras use every part of the babaçu palm tree. The leaf is used to make the roofs of their houses, baskets and other household products.
War on Want:
The shell of the babaçu nut is used as charcoal.
War on Want:
Between the shell and the nut is the mesocarpo. It is an invaluable source of protein and is often ground into a flour to make a local porridge.
War on Want:
Finally, the kernel produces oil that is used for cooking and as a component of fuel. The oil is also used to make soap with which to wash clothes or bathe.
War on Want:
The quebradeiras use and sell all these products, which usually represent their only source of income. Prices are dictated by middlemen.
War on Want:
Separating the babaçu kernel from the shell is a difficult and tedious process. The babaçu is smaller than a normal coconut and is covered by a very hard shell.
War on Want:
Holding an axe with her legs and steadying the nut on the blade with one hand, the quebradeira hits the nut with a stick with the other hand.
War on Want:
The nut must be hit several times, carefully, in order to remove the three to five kernels it contains.