Set against the breathtaking, wildlife-rich floodplains of Brazil, the story spans two decades. It follows Jove, the hot-headed son of the wealthy farmer José Leôncio, who returns to the land he never knew, only to fall passionately in love with Juma Marruá. But Juma is no ordinary woman; she is the "golden-haired girl," a mythical shape-shifter raised by jaguars, cursed by a blood feud, and carrying the soul of the forest itself.

Assistir à novela completa permite compreender como a obra discutiu temas fundamentais que continuam extremamente atuais:

Mãe de Juma, a primeira a manifestar o poder de virar onça para proteger a família.