Quilombo

One of our most interesting experiences here in Rio was visiting a quilombo, which were independent communities of runaway African slaves along with their Indigenous allies and even a few poor whites, all of whom escaped from the tyranny of the Portuguese elites and plantation owners during colonial times. There are some quilombos that continue to exist today, including this one right in a hill within the city limits Rio, which has survived since the late 1500’s!!! They told me that 70% of residents are ancestors of the original quilombolos.

Edilson shows us where his ancestors, escaped slaves, lived under a huge rock centuries ago on a hill in Rio de Janeiro.