# New Novel Explores Human Impact of Mariana Dam Disaster Author Adriana Vieira Lomar weaves memory and loss into the fictional narrative Onda Cabocla. - **Source:** [Agência Brasil](https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br) - **Published:** 2026-11-11 - **Topic:** [culture](https://brifing.si/c/culture) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/240c61e3-bc6e-4d7f-b6bb-40e277ad1d8e ## Visual Inspiration for Fiction Writer Adriana Vieira Lomar conceived her novel after witnessing the orange mud from the 2015 Fundão dam collapse staining the Rio Doce estuary. Two months post-disaster, the environmental damage remained starkly visible from the air. This imagery served as the catalyst for her upcoming book, Onda Cabocla, released in late 2026. ## The 2015 Mining Tragedy The Fundão dam collapse, operated by Samarco, released 40 million cubic meters of mining waste in 2015. The disaster claimed 19 lives and left over 600 people homeless across communities like Bento Rodrigues and Paracatu de Baixo. The toxic sludge traveled through the entire Rio Doce Basin, ultimately reaching the Atlantic Ocean. ## Impact on Fishing Communities Lomar conducted extensive research in Vila de Regência, a town devastated by the loss of its fishing and tourism economy. Many local fishermen were denied compensation due to a lack of formal registration. The author highlights how the loss of their trade represents a profound severance of ancestral memory and family tradition. ## Metalinguistic Narrative Structure The novel follows the life of Raquel, a protagonist who migrates to Spain to escape the trauma of her homeland. Through a metalinguistic approach, Raquel is depicted as the author of the very book the reader holds. This structure allows the character to use literature and knowledge as tools for personal liberation. ## Memory and Migration Themes Beyond the environmental devastation, the story examines the psychological weight of migration. Lomar argues that migrants carry the memory of their origins through their accents and personal histories. She believes that sharing these stories is essential to prevent the erasure of the past, ensuring that displaced communities are not forgotten by history. ## Honoring Local Historical Figures The book incorporates the legacy of Caboclo Bernardo, a historical figure from Vila de Regência. In 1887, Bernardo famously saved over 120 lives during the shipwreck of the Imperial Marinheiro cruiser. His heroic act earned him a first-class medal from Princess Isabel, cementing his status as a symbol of the region's resilience. ## Literary Approach to Reality Lomar emphasizes that her work is not a didactic text but a fictional exploration of complex social layers. She avoids providing simple answers, instead allowing readers to draw their own conclusions from the characters' personal dramas. The narrative seeks to capture the essence of reality through the lens of creative fiction. ## Ongoing Reparation Efforts The novel's release coincides with continued legal and financial efforts regarding the disaster. Samarco has recently extended compensation programs, with 19 additional cities joining the reparation agreement. While the book focuses on human memory, these real-world developments highlight the persistent, long-term struggle for justice faced by the affected communities today. ## Sources covering this story - https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/cultura/noticia/2026-11/romance-resgata-marcas-do-desastre-de-mariana — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._