We learned a fascinating bit of Black history from Otis Lee at Harper Library’s “Meet the Author” program on February 20th!
Mr. Lee’s book, “I Was Born in the Forest,” highlights the history of “Quilombos” (pronounced
key-LUM-boos), places of refuge for escaped Blacks who had been captured in Africa and
transported to Brazil during the 15 th and 16 th centuries. Many of these quilombos still exist today, occupied by descendants of slavery.
Mr. Lee first went to Brazil to learn about quilombos in 2012. He spent the next 10 years
researching and writing his book. Lee and his wife made several extended trips to the east
coast of Brazil, visiting 10 present-day quilombos that range in size from 5 to 500 homes. They
interviewed residents and community leaders to learn a first-hand account of their history,
enjoyed meals with them, and engaged in celebrations and festivals. Lee’s presentation
included terrific pictures and videos from their trips.
Quilombos developed when slaves who escaped capture fled to the rugged mountain areas of
Brazil, eventually establishing agricultural communities. Because of their remote, high-altitude
locations, quilombos were able to fend off attacks from white colonists. Palmares was the
largest Brazilian quilombo, existing for most of the 17 th century with nearly 11,000 residents at its peak. Internal power struggles eventually led to its destruction.
Today there are hundreds of active quilombos in Brazil that have been officially recognized by
the government. Residents are in the process of obtaining deeds to these ancestral lands, with
a 60% success rate to date.
Other highlights:
– The earliest group of Africans to be enslaved was in Spain in the year 1444.
– The first enslaved Blacks in America were brought here from Haiti in 1526, long before
the settlement of Jamestown in 1619.
– At the height of slavery, Brazil – not the United States – had the highest number of
enslaved blacks, who came mainly from the African countries of Angola, Congo and
Nigeria.
– Brazil now has an article in its constitution that protects the rights of all black citizens. It
also has a national holiday on November 20 th called “Black Consciousness Day” to honor
the cultural importance of Afro-Brazilian
– The Gullah Geechee people of SC are descendants of African slaves who escaped and
formed quilombos in the remote lowlands.
There’s much more to be learned in Mr. Lee’s wonderful book, which is available in our library
system, or for purchase on line.
Author Otis Lee Reveals an Unknown Piece of Black History at Harper MTA
