In Soure, various local artists create beautiful pottery modeled after traditional cerámica marajoara. One of the island’s most reputed ceramicists is Carlos Amaral. A descendant of the Aruã Indians who inhabited the island before the arrival of the Portuguese, Carlos learned traditional pottery techniques from his grandmother and has spent his life studying the graphic symbols used by his Marajoara ancestors.
You can view and purchase his work at his atelier, M’Barayo Cerâmica (Travessa 20, tel. 91/3741-1719, 8 a.m.–7 p.m. Mon.–Sat., 8 a.m.–noon Sun.). Another good place to find Marajoara replicas along with woven items and other local artesenato is the Sociedade Marajoara das Artes (3a Rua, 8 a.m.–7 p.m. Mon.–Sat., 8 a.m.–noon Sun.).