Brazilian Adventure: Visiting a Quilombo
Quilombos are historic Brazilian communities. Constructed by runaway slaves and natives, they boast a vibrant cultural heritage. A must-see on your next Brazilian adventure, you and your family can explore:
- traditional food
- artisanal crafts
- folk dance
- local martial arts
- quilombo music
You’ll learn about a people determined to live free… Despite the odds. How quilombos came to survive and thrive remains a testament to the human will. Read on to learn more about quilombos, past and present.
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The History of Quilombos
For nearly 500 years, the slave trade transported slaves to Brazil. Four million Africans worked on plantations and at mines. They endured oppression, harsh working conditions, and even death.
Many slaves fought to escape into the Brazilian interior. There, they formed alliances with other runaways and natives. In the remote jungle, they created self-sustaining communities.
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Jungle Safe Havens
Quilombos provided refuge to fugitive slaves and Brazilian natives. In the Angolan language of Kimbundu, “quilombo” means settlement. The maroon people inhabiting these communities became known as Quilombolas.
Quilombolas dropped European agrarian practices. Why? To ensure their communities remained undetected. Instead, they turned to agricultural forest practices.
Their jungle safe havens endured for decades. In some cases, centuries. Many remained concealed until the 1970s and 1980s, hidden by dense forests and wide rivers.
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The Center of Afro-Brazilian Culture
Today, there are approximately 1,700 quilombos clustered primarily in:
- the plantation region of Bahia
- the mining district of Minas Gerais
- remote parts of Alagoas
Quilombolas continue to celebrate and preserve a distinct heritage. Their culture features influences from the Portuguese, West Africans, and natives. Quilombos remain centers of Afro-Brazilian culture, music, and arts.
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Quilombos Today
Quilombos offer a window into a unique culture and way of life. They stand as moving testaments to the power of the human spirit. Today, Quilombolas live as subsistence farmers. And they continue to preserve their rich traditions.
The most recognized contribution of Quilombolas to Brazil remains Capoeira. Capoeira developed on slave plantations and in quilombos. Disguised as a dance, Capoeira helped slaves escape and evade recapture. In quilombos, Capoeira was further refined and systematized. According to Smithsonian Magazine, “Historians surmise that Capoeira emerged from these communities as a means for defense under the oppressive Portuguese regime.”
Capoeira combines martial arts, stunning choreography, and rhythmic music. It was recognized in 2014 by UNESCO as an “intangible cultural heritage.” For centuries, Quilombolas have used Capoeira to resist oppression.
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Brazilian Adventure for the Whole Family
A visit to a quilombo is a great addition to any Brazilian adventure. Today’s quilombos vividly depict the story of Brazil’s colonial past. And they provide potent lessons about courage and the struggle for freedom.
Interested in visiting a quilombo with your family? Check out this Brazilian adventure for the whole family.
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