An island. That is how the Queimada dos Britos dwellers call the tiny oasis they live in. Surrounded by a sea of sand, the village is distant a few hours away from anywhere, always walking through the dunes.

Here everybody is a relative, cousins intermarrying frequently as a normal course.

The founder was Manuel Brito, deceased a few years ago and remembered with reverence by his children and grandchildren. He has come from Ceara, running away from drought that was scorching his homeland, and ended up by settling down in the only non-sandy portion of the Lençois.

It is a 200 people settlement who lives from fishing - the sea being two hours away on foot - and from a quite extensive husbandry of cattle and goats, the animals running loose on the dunes. They do not plant practically anything afraid of accelerating the advance of dunes that have already covered a few houses.

Electric energy is not even a dream around here; all are contently settled to small night lamp and chatty mood at dusk hours to scare away sleepiness. Barter reaches the village on mule back that really does not have to carry too much weight: matchsticks, soap and kerosene are the few products consumed here.

Queimada dos Britos deserve a visit for its uniqueness and beauty. It is a mandatory stop for those daring to cross Lençois Maranhenses on foot, whatever the way, from Santo Amaro to Atins or vice-versa. Plain food, hammock, good chat with natives make the travelers welcoming especially pleasant.

It is approximately a 6-hour walk from Atins or Santo Amaro to Queimada dos Britos and six hours more for the remainder of the crossing, but it's worth it. The Inn Encantes do Nordeste offers a guide for this crossing, all which is required is bravery, time and physical fitness.