Quilombola Communities Research Articles

Ubuntu, African Ancestrality and Its Resignifications in the African Diaspora

ABSTRACT In this text, I reflect on the African cosmovivencias of Ubuntu and the place of the ancestors within those cosmovivencias. I also approach the resignifications that Ubuntu and ancestrality have had in the African Diaspora. I show how ancestrality is present both in Ubuntu and in the cultural, religious, and traditional manifestations, which express the resignifications of the African cosmovivencias of Ubuntu in Latin America. To support my argument, I bring examples of cases that I consider to be experiences of these cosmovivencias. For Africa, I mention Ubuntu (South Africa) and the instances of the figure of “Kimbilikiti,” a common spirit of the Lega ethnic group (eastern DRC); the ancestral ritual for good fishing, practiced jointly in Uvira (also in east DRC); and the figure of “Abashingantahe” (wise men, judges), in Burundi. For Latin America, I bring up the experiences understood as “suficiencias íntimas” and “vivir sabroso” in Colombia and the African rooted religions and the quilombola communities. All these cases have the African ancestry in common.

The Ecological Modernization Paradigm applied to fiduciary donations to traditional peoples organizations in the Brazilian Cerrado Biome

This article aims to understand the modus operandi used by the Center for Alternative Agriculture in Northern Minas Gerais (CAA), an non-governmental organization of traditional peoples from the northern region of the state of Minas Gerais, in the course of the implementing the Dedicated Grant Mechanism for Indigenous Peoples, Quilombolas and Traditional Communities of the Brazilian Cerrado Biome (DGM Brazil Project). Based on an empirical study carried out while I was an employee of a non-governmental organization, I propose a differentiated theoretical-methodological format for interdisciplinary research, combining professional experience, documentary analysis and bibliographic review. The article is concerned with linking this experience to other economic and political contexts, with emphasis on the recent dynamics of management and implementation of fiduciary donations by non-governmental organizations in Latin America. It supports the hypothesis that these experiences reproduce the Ecological Modernization Paradigm, based in the belief in efficiency as a means of achieving sustainable development.

Risk factors for the occurrence of schistosomiasis mansoni in a quilombola community in an endemic area in northeastern Brazil

Objective: To identify the risk factors related to Schistosomiasis mansoni in a quilombola community located in a highly endemic area in the Northeast of Brazil. Methods: This is an ecological epidemiological study conducted with 497 individuals, of both sexes aged over 4 years. Information on sociodemographic, economic, and environmental data from the quilombola community of Patioba was collected through a questionnaire, stored in an Excel database, and evaluated by descriptive statistics. Results: From the sample, 53.92% were women and 46.08% men, approximately 43.25% of the population had incomplete elementary education, 58.35% had a family income between 1 and 3 minimum wages, 49.89% disposed sewage in the street, 95.97% stated they had household garbage collection, 88.93% reported consuming well water, 65.19% reported having contact with natural waters, 26.15% had undergone diagnostic testing for schistosomiasis, and 15.69% had tested positive for the disease. During the visits, several snail breeding sites were observed. Conclusion: The absence of water supply and sewage treatment, the low socioeconomic status of the studied families, and the significant presence of the parasite's intermediate hosts in the streets of the settlement are strong indicators that this population is exposed to the risk of contracting the disease.

VALUATION OF ETHNIC-CULTURAL IDENTITY: COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF EXPERIENCE REPORTS ON VISITS TO QUILOMBOS IN THE STATE OF PARÁ AND RIO DE JANEIRO

The article "Valorization of Ethnic-Cultural Identity: comparative analysis of experience reports during visits to quilombos in the states of Pará and Rio de Janeiro" analyzes visits to quilombola communities, comparing the realities of two states. In Pará, the quilombola communities of Perpétuo Socorro do Tauerá, São Raimundo do Taperú and Maripí face a lack of cultural appreciation, especially among the younger generations, who tend to reject or be unaware of their Afro-descendant heritage. On the other hand, the quilombo of São José da Serra, in Rio de Janeiro, shows a strong connection with Afro-Brazilian culture and identity, valuing traditions and memory. The research addresses the importance of educational actions in the quilombola communities of Pará to rescue and strengthen ethnic-cultural identity, proposing measures such as teacher training and the inclusion of practical activities based on Afro-Brazilian history and culture, following the National Curricular Guidelines. The technical visits carried out by pedagogy students allowed a detailed analysis of the cultural dynamics and challenges faced, highlighting the need for integration between school and community to rescue these traditions. It is suggested that strengthening relationships between younger and older generations, through discussion groups and cultural practices, could help reverse the process of denying Afro-Brazilian identity. The valorization of emotional intelligence in interpersonal relationships within the school is also highlighted as fundamental to the success of these initiatives, promoting a positive and respectful organizational climate.

Biomarkers of Pesticide Exposure in a Traditional Brazilian Amazon Community

In 2008, Brazil became the country with the highest pesticide use in the world, with over one billion liters of pesticides applied to crops in 2009. The impacts of these products on public health are wide-ranging. Vast territories are affected, involving different population groups, such as workers in various fields of activity, the population that consumes contaminated food, and people living around factories, such as traditional communities. This study aimed to assess human exposure to pesticides through epidemiological and laboratory data of residents of the Santo Antônio quilombola community in Concórdia do Pará, Amazon region, Brazil. Epidemiological data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire, which included factors such as sex, age, length of residence, and level of exposure to pesticides. The modified Ellman method was used to assess the activity of cholinesterases, and flow cytometry was performed for cytokine analysis. Analysis of collected blood samples showed that, in most cases, there was no significant reduction in the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) compared to other studies in the scientific literature. Meanwhile, there was an increase in the levels of IFN-γ cytokines, especially IL-6, in all groups. The findings of this study highlight the urgent need for a comprehensive monitoring program, considering that some conditions other than pesticide exposure can alter the activities of the biomarkers used in this study.

Women and Artisanal Fishing in the Quilombola Community of Santiago do Iguape, Bahia: Historical Contributions and Current Challenges

Objective: To analyze the contributions of female fishers to the preservation of knowledge about local artisanal fishing, as well as the challenges they face in occupying these spaces. Introduction and Theoretical Framework: Data on the importance of artisanal fishing is presented, highlighting its relevance in the intergenerational transmission of this knowledge by women. It also emphasizes the neglect and invisibility faced by women throughout history due to gender issues, which led to women achieving basic rights granted to "fishermen" only belatedly. Method: The methodology adopted includes field data collection through semi-structured interviews with female fishers from the community, as well as direct observations. The interviews were conducted using the snowball sampling method, as described by Bailey (1994). The interviews were recorded and accompanied by photographic records, with proper authorization obtained through the signing of the Informed Consent Form (ICF), which was read and explained to each participant. Results and Discussion: The results show that female fishers possess extensive knowledge about fishing techniques and equipment, fishing resources, and other environmental issues. These women face a triple workload and many difficulties in estuarine environments. They recognize the sea and mangroves as prosperous areas that allow them to raise their children and obtain resources for their subsistence. Fishing becomes more than just an economic activity; it shapes the identity and ways of being/living/inhabiting of these women. Thus, the quilombola women of Santiago do Iguape take on a leading role in an activity marked by gender issues and the pursuit of basic rights. Implications of the Research: The research contributes to the recognition of fishing knowledge built by female fishers. These discussions may contribute to the improvement and implementation of new policies that address the current vulnerabilities faced by these fishers. Originality/Value: This study is essential for highlighting social and governmental invisibility due to gender issues, as well as the changes in women’s self-perception regarding their importance in the construction and preservation of knowledge about artisanal fishing and their rights.

Exploring health and depression in quilombola communities: a look at symptoms, negative self-rating, and intervention opportunities

Exploring health and depression in quilombola communities: a look at symptoms, negative self-rating, and intervention opportunities

Ethnobotanical Surveys of Plants Used by Quilombola Communities in Brazil: A Scoping Review.

Quilombola communities play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity through traditional management models. The use of medicinal plants within these communities reflects a deep reservoir of knowledge, passed down through generations. The objective of this study was to conduct a scoping review to systematically analyze and synthesize the existing literature on the medicinal plants used by Quilombola communities in Brazil, with a focus on their therapeutic applications and cultural significance. The Population, Concept, and Context (PCC) strategy was utilized, where the population refers to the Quilombolas, the concept pertains to medicinal plants, and the context involves illness. A total of 888 studies were initially identified, but only 10 met the inclusion criteria, covering 297 plant species from 80 different families. These plants are employed in a wide range of therapeutic applications, with decoction, alcohol maceration, and infusion being the most common methods of preparation. The study highlights the rich ethnopharmacological knowledge held by Quilombola communities and underscores the need for greater recognition and integration of this traditional knowledge into public health practices. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of preserving and validating the use of medicinal plants by these communities, which could serve as a foundation for future pharmacological discoveries and the development of culturally appropriate health interventions.

Ecosociosystem Landscape of the Sustainable Development Reserve of Quilombos de Barra do Turvo, São Paulo

In the ecosociosystem landscape, traditional practices and customs are employed by quilombola communities in the use and manage of the land, constituting essential characteristics for the conservation of local sociobiodiversity. Thus, the objective of this study is to analyze the landscape used and managed by quilombola communities in the Sustainable Development Reserve of Quilombos de Barra do Turvo in São Paulo, discussing its implications for its conservation status. Geotechnological tools were used to generate maps and quantifiable data on vegetation cover and land use for the years 1984 and 2020. as well as the Anthropogenic Transformation Index to identify the conservation status of the landscape. In the Reserve, as well as in quilombola communities, anthropogenic uses predominated, specifically agriculture and livestock farming. In terms of vegetation cover, the extent of the Dense Montane Ombrophilous Forest showed a reduction in both investigated areas. Water within the Reserve showed an increase in area, while there was no spatial change in the communities. The conservation status of the landscape in the Reserve and quilombola communities, on both investigated dates, was found to be mildly degraded. It was concluded that there is a need for the development of management plans that respect the way of life of quilombola communities and the maintenance of aquatic and terrestrial fauna and flora, contributing to the conservation of the local landscape.

Tracing gender variation in traditional knowledge: participatory tools to promote conservation in a Quilombola community in Brazil

BackgroundBased on participatory research tools and analysis with a gender focus, we aim to identify the knowledge associated with native plants of the Atlantic Forest in one Quilombola community whose territory is juxtaposed with a protected area, in South Brazil.MethodsThrough the perception of the residents of the Quilombola community of São Roque, we classified the availability, harvesting intensity, abundance, and importance of fourteen plants native to the Atlantic Forest found in their territory. These fourteen plants were selected after initial interviews with a free listing of plants done with all adults (44 people), followed by plant collection and identification. A participatory workshop was built with the community to collect data through three activities: four-cell tool, environment matrix, and importance matrix. To identify the gender nuances in the knowledge within this community, all activities were separated into two groups based on the gender of the 22 participants (9 women and 13 men) and the researchers.ResultsThe species Pau-pra-tudo (Picrasma crenata), Quina (Coutarea hexandra), and Cipó-milome (Aristolochia triangularis) were similarly classified as important by both groups, which indicates the cultural and environmental relevance associated with them regardless of gender. The perceptions of other species were expressed differently between the groups, showing the variance of the ecological knowledge and the relationship between the sociocultural contexts of gender and the knowledge manifested. The final part of the workshop was a lecture given by two community experts about herbal medicines based on forest species found in the territory.ConclusionsBased on the multiple forms of results recorded in the workshop, we discuss the demand for inclusion of the traditional community in land management plans of environmental agencies, highlighting how individual characteristics, such as gender, can fill gaps in data about local biodiversity.

One Health strategies for the prevention and control of infections by parasites with zoonotic potential in canines and felines from Quilombola communities in the northeast region of Brazil

One Health strategies for the prevention and control of infections by parasites with zoonotic potential in canines and felines from Quilombola communities in the northeast region of Brazil

Institution-based access implications faced by traditional communities in Amazônia: towards co-managing protected areas and Terms of Compromise for socio-biodiversity

Given limitations of resource and market access reported by traditional local communities and a limiting institutional environment for socio-biodiversity in Amazônia, the main question is: how do institutions (re)shape natural resource and market access by Quilombolas in the protected area of the Trombetas River Biological Reserve (TRBR) and the Implications of the TRBR Term of Compromise (TC) – a formal institution written by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio) – on livelihood-relevant access to socio-biodiversity products (Brazil nuts) and markets. Methods include semi-structured interviews (n=89) focusing on Non-timber forest products gatherers, as well as observation and focus-group interviews for data triangulation. An analytical framework is developed, combining access theory, institutions and property rights scholarship. Findings reveal that the TC overwrites institutionalised norms of Quilombola communities, which regulated such livelihood-relevant access long before the TRBR establishment (1979). The TC not only formalises BN use but also unintentionally restricts natural resources and market access, limiting Quilombolas’ bioeconomy-benefits.

O conceito de território na perspectiva dos estudos agrários sobre povos e comunidades tradicionais: Diálogos e reflexões

The paths taken by the concept of territory in the field of the history of geography are marked by social, political and theoretical-methodological influences that affected the ways of thinking about geography and the role played by territory in social dynamics. In this sense, authors such as Haesbaert (2019), Saquet (2020), Gottmann (2012), Claval (1999), Andrade (2004), among others, discuss in depth the paths taken by the concept of territory in geography, bringing elements that help us understand the approaches that the concept has obtained throughout the history of geography, which are influenced by more structural conjunctures, such as the epistemological changes and transformations generated in the scope of social reality, as Claval (1999) points out. That said, the objective of the present research is to analyze the approaches to the concept of territory in research that discusses indigenous peoples and quilombola communities in selected texts. In the methodological scope, we highlight that the research is based on the content analysis, according to Bardin (2022), of works published in the annals of the International Symposium on Agrarian Geography (SINGA), between the years 2003 and 2019, totaling nine editions analyzed. In the field of research results, we identified the presence of different approaches to the concept of territory in the research, notably from multidimensional, relational and integrative conceptions of the concept of territory proposed by different geographers, such as Rogério Haesbaert, Claude Raffestin, Marcos Aurélio Saquet, Milton Santos, Ariovaldo Umbelino de Oliveira, Bernardo Mançano Fernandes, Joël Bonnemaison, Maria Geralda de Almeida and Carlos Walter Porto-Gonçalves, among others. Finally, in the framework of the conclusions of the research, we detected that within the research framework adopted, there is a centrality of the concept of territory as an important element in the study of indigenous peoples and quilombola communities, a fact that, in a way, reflects the importance that the concept has been gaining in the field of agrarian studies.

Ethnic and racial violence and violations in the context of the Brazilian democratic crisis: a study of Black and Quilombola populations

ABSTRACT This article addresses the question of how the recent political context of Brazil shapes violations of various kinds against Quilombola communities in Brazil. Using data from online news sources, we track violations from 2016 to 2020 related to land disputes, physical attacks and threats, and environmental issues. We show that, despite the legal rights accorded to these communities since the 1988 constitutional reform and subsequent processes of democratisation, vested interests in the agricultural lobby and a later authoritarian turn, especially after 2016, led to a dismantling of social and economic policies for Quilombos. The violations suffered by these communities result from the denial of their collective identities as constitutional subjects and the non-recognition of their dignity, which are the product of historical processes of inferiorisation that have treated some people as non-subjects or not eligible to bear rights, based on colonial classifications but still present in the dominant society.

Molecular and Phylogenetic Evidence of Interfamilial Transmission of HTLV-1 in the Afro-Descendant Community of São José de Icatú in the Brazilian Amazon.

This study aimed to describe the prevalence of HTLV-1/2 in quilombola communities in the state of Pará and investigate the possible sociodemographic risk factors associated with the infection, as well as to trace the occurrence of the familial transmission of the virus. A total of 310 individuals living in eight quilombos located in the state of Pará (northern Brazil) were investigated for the presence of anti-HTLV-1/2 antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and positive samples were confirmed using Western blot and/or real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Participants answered a questionnaire about sociodemographic aspects and risk factors for infection. Anti-HTLV-1/2 antibodies were detected in two individuals (one man and one woman), for an overall seroprevalence of 0.65%. Both individuals belonged to the community of São José de Icatú. The search for intrafamilial infection identified two other infected women, which increased the general prevalence of HTLV-1 among the Icatú to 6.25% (4/64). Western blot and qPCR confirmed their HTLV-1 infection, and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the isolates were of the cosmopolitan subtype and transcontinental subgroup. Epidemiological investigation of the cases revealed that the three women, at some point in their lives, had a relationship with the infected male individual. HTLV-1 is transmitted silently between individuals in the community of São José de Icatú with a present or past family relationship, stressing the need for screening and laboratory diagnosis to prevent further dissemination of the virus and surveillance of disease emergence.

Quilombola women confronting digital discrimination in Brazil

This work discusses the relationship between digital disconnection and the violation of rights in Quilombola territories. Quilombolas are an ethnic-racial group with Black origins associated with oppression and resistance over the centuries in Brazil. The research was conducted with 41 women aged between 18 and 73 who are leaders in 35 remaining Quilombola communities in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The impacts of limited access to information and communications technology (ICT) were assessed using an intersectional perspective, considering social markers of difference such as gender, social class, ethnic-racial belonging, and territory. The results show that 11 territories lack internet service, significantly restricting access to information, health, education, and social participation. The research points to the need for considering digital inequity as another matrix of intersectional oppression, as being disconnected or having restrictions on access and use of ICT increases the vulnerability of these territories, especially for the Quilombola women.

Renewable energy and green extractivism: transitions or reconfigurations?

This article discusses the implications of projects implemented by corporations in the energy sector based on their use of the notions of energy transition, decarbonization and renewable energy. We analyzed documents from business organizations, civil society, the Brazilian government and the United Nations containing data and representations regarding wind power projects and the production of green hydrogen. Interviews were also conducted with women from the quilombola community in Cumbe, located in the municipality of Aracati, in the Brazilian Northeastern state of Ceará, who have been affected by a wind power project. We have sought to develop an analysis that contrasts, on the one hand, the discourse of multilateral institutions and corporations that justify so-called clean energies as a means of combating climate change and, on the other, the perceptions of populations affected by a wind energy project in terms of the impacts and meaning they attribute to such projects.

Health needs in a quilombo remnant community: access to medical care, exams and medicines

The aim is to understand the health needs of a quilombola community in the interior of Bahia. This is research, of an exploratory and cross-sectional nature, with a qualitative and analytical-descriptive approach, based on the Theories of Social Representations and Collective Memory. Carried out with 24 elderly people who lived in a Quilombo Remnant Community in the interior of Bahia. A questionnaire was applied with Sociodemographic and Health data, and other with Semi-structured Interview. The Bardin Content Analysis technique and the IRAMUTEQ computational tool were used. It was learned that the perception of the people interviewed regarding health needs in the community and with regard to access to medical assistance, exams and medicines, permeates a weakened understanding regarding the structuring guidelines of the Unified Health System, since the reality of these communities goes through basic difficulties in access to primary health care.

Dental Health Diagnosis in Quilombola Communities in Northern Minas Gerais - Minas Gerais

Objective: The aim was to diagnose the oral health situation in two quilombola communities in the North of Minas Gerais, Monte Alto and Dos Nogueiras. Method:A cross-sectional, population-based, descriptive study was conducted. A questionnaire was administered to assess socioeconomic, cultural, and oral health conditions using the Oral Health Impact Profile. Information such as gender, age, skin color, education level, water supply, sanitation, family income, daily habits, tobacco and alcohol use, and self-perceived health conditions were collected. Through clinical examinations by calibrated examiners, prevalent oral diseases in both communities were identified. The data underwent descriptive and bivariate analysis, using Pearson's chi-squared test (X²) with a 95% confidence level and a significance level (α) of 5%. Results: In the Monte Alto quilombola community, absence of sewage treatment, low education levels, limited access to healthcare services, high rates of edentulism, and carious lesions were identified. In the Dos Nogueiras quilombola community, a high percentage of smokers, consumption of cariogenic foods, carious lesions, and periodontal diseases were observed. Conclusion: Oral health problems were attributed to poor sanitation conditions, limited access to healthcare services, consumption of cariogenic foods, and a high prevalence of smokers.

Community-based tourism resilience in response to COVID-19 in Brazil’s Kalunga Territory

The Kalunga Territory, located in the Brazilian Cerrado in the state of Goias, is rich in biodiversity, and is home to 39 quilombola communities providing a unique opportunity for community-based tourism (CBT) that integrates the unique Kalunga history and culture with sustainable livelihoods. Yet, there is limited research in the resilience of CBT to disturbances, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in a remote Territory that closed its borders. This study aims to better understand how the Kalunga responded and navigated challenges of COVID-19 and the key factors that influence the resilience of CBT. We conducted a series of workshops prior to the pandemic and qualitative semi-structured interviews with community leaders and community members involved in tourism after the pandemic had occurred. Through the application of Berkes and Seixas (2005) framework, this study’s findings highlight the importance of diversifying livelihoods and tourism experiences, community values and solidarity, integration of local knowledge and culture, and having a strong foundation for shared governance and decision-making. The paper concludes with key insights for enhancing the resilience of CBT in the Kalunga Territory and beyond such as learning from neighboring communities, the role of bridging organizations between local and national stakeholders, supporting a shared identity and vision, integrating traditional ecological knowledge and diverse perspectives, and reducing the dependency on only tourism for livelihoods.