Kalungas facts for kids
The Kalungas are a group of Brazilians. They are descendants of people who bravely freed themselves from slavery. These communities lived in faraway settlements in the Goiás state of Brazil.
The Kalungas are part of a larger group called Quilombola. These are people of African origin who live in special communities. These communities were started by people who escaped slavery a long time ago. The Kalunga communities in Goiás have existed for about 250 years. Researchers and the government first got back in touch with them in the 1960s.
Most of the Kalungas, about 5,000 people, have mixed African and indigenous ancestry. Many of them live in difficult conditions. In Zambia, the name Kalunga comes from the Bantu language. It means "hunter" or "accurate hunter."
In 1991, the area where the Kalungas live was officially recognized by the government. It became a Historical Site. The Kalungas and their culture are now protected as "Patrimônio Cultural Kalunga." They settled in the mountains on both sides of the Paraná River. They live on slopes and in valleys, which they call Vãos. Today, they live in the areas of Cavalcante, Monte Alegre, and Teresina de Goiás. Their four main settlements are Contenda, Vão do Calunga, Vão de Almas, Vão do Moleque, and Ribeirão dos Bois. Some other Kalungas live in communities that are not yet officially recognized.
History of the Kalunga People
There can be some confusion about the word "Kalunga." The word "Kalunga" (with a "K") is linked to their spiritual beliefs. It means the world of their ancestors. They believe their strength comes from these ancestors. The word "Calunga" (with a "C") can mean something small or unimportant. It was also a way to refer to Black people, or sometimes a famous person.
In the Kalunga lands, "calunga" is also the name of a plant called Simaba ferruginea. This plant grows near a stream with the same name. The land where this plant grows is considered special. It is a place that always has water, which is good for growing food.
Choosing Their Home
The Kalunga people chose to live in the chapada region. This area is a vast landscape of mountains and hills. It is filled with buriti palm trees. They picked this place because it was very hard to reach. Their former owners would not risk going there to find them. The area has steep slopes and many stones. The narrow paths wind and climb, almost hidden by thick plants. Stone walls drop sharply into the low valleys.
Life in Isolation
These descendants of enslaved people lived far away from the towns of Goiás. They learned to survive using what the cerrado environment gave them. This included food, building materials, and tools. Even though they lived separately, they thought of themselves as family.
From time to time, they would leave their remote homes. They would travel to towns to buy things like kitchen tools or certain foods. They used simple boats or groups of donkeys for transport.
See also
- Kalunga Line
