Guia Cultural da Costa Verde

Mangaratiba • Marambaia

ASSOCIAÇÃO QUILOMBO DA MARAMBAIA

Deep historical and cultural roots that deserve respect and prestige

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The full name is Associação da Comunidade dos Remanescentes de Quilombo da Ilha da Marambaia – ARQIMAR. This quilombo community is located on a beautiful and almost inaccessible island and is composed of roughly 258 families, with numerous episodes of their struggle for ownership and title to this property.

The land on which they live belonged to landowner José Joaquim de Souza Breves, who is said to have used the property to keep his slaves and make them fit for work, before putting them to work in his coffee plantations. Before he died in 1889, the landowner donated orally his lands in Marambaia to the slaves found on the property. However, as he left no written deed, the family did not comply with his wishes following his demise. Since those days the quilombo inhabitants and their descendants have struggled in court against a number of institutions in order to ensure their property rights as determined with Breves a century ago.

Several activities take place in the community, yet there limitations on visits by the public, more so because part of the island of Marambaia is a restricted naval reserve. Small groups will be required to schedule their visits or to arrange other venues where frequent performances of jongo, capoeira, circle dances and lectures are held, by means of the Grupo Cultural Filhos da Marambaia. This group consisting of roughly 15 members conveys the force of Afro-Brazilian culture, full of beauty and propriety, reflecting a genuine contact with the dances and strong sounds of drums and chants, moving deeply all those who have the privilege to attend their performances.

The Filhos da Marambaia represent their community very well and have held performances overseas. They are always present in traditional festivities of towns along the Costa Verde. They may also perform in private events, in festivals, jongo encounters and relevant cultural areas. They recently performed at Parque Arqueológico e Ambiental de São João Marcos (a heritage park), which also has a striking background such as in the quilombo community.

The Quilombo da Marambaia group was indicated for the Cultura do Estado do Rio de Janeiro 2012-2013 award, and performed passionately during the award ceremony, once again captivating the public in attendance.

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