Lagoa do Abaeté, Artificial pond in Itapuã district, Salvador, Brazil.
Lagoa do Abaeté is an artificial pond with dark waters surrounded by white sand dunes and native vegetation in the Itapuã neighborhood. The water appears almost black, creating a striking contrast against the bright sand and plants that frame its edges.
The name comes from the Tupi word abaîté, meaning terror or fright, reflecting ancient beliefs about supernatural forces in the waters. The site served as a vital workplace and gathering place that held different meanings for various groups over time.
The pond holds deep meaning for Candomblé practitioners who perform rituals here, and washerwomen once worked along its shores maintaining their own customs and social bonds. Their daily activities shaped the identity of this place for local communities.
You can reach the pond by taxi or ride-sharing service from Salvador's center, with the main entrance on Ladeira Ibiama street. Arriving early in the day gives you better light and fewer crowds to enjoy the area.
The dark water color comes from peat particles and organic matter rather than depth or pollution. The site is part of the Metropolitan Park Lagoas e Dunas do Abaeté, which protects rare plant species and the region's ecological diversity.
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