QUILOMBO SÃO PEDRO

The quilombolas of the territory organize festivities, such as the Festas de São Pedro, in winter, circles of memories and stories about the struggles to conquer the right to the land, as well as soccer tournaments with the women's and men's teams of the Sport Club São Pedro.

They are also engaged in the National Coordination of Articulation of Quilombos, in the Cooperative of Quilombola Farmers of the Ribeira Valley, in the Articulation and Advisory Team for Black Communities, in the Roça Working Group, in the Working Group of the Quilombo São Pedro Museum and in the Fair for the Exchange of Seeds and Traditional Seedlings of the Quilombola Communities of the Ribeira Valley.

Among the knowledge of the quilombolas of Ribeira Valley is the Traditional Quilombola Agricultural System - SATQ, which since 2018 has been recognized as Intangible Heritage of Brazil by the National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute - IPHAN.

The Traditional Quilombola Agricultural System is characterized by the cycle of Coivara's Field, which is based on a set of knowledge and techniques of interaction with all elements of nature and is passed on from generation to generation, to feed all families in the community.

A fertile area is chosen for the clearing of vegetation and prepared for burning.
In the surroundings, a firebreak is made to control the fire and protect the forest. The ashes from the burning contribute to the nutrition of the soil.

After selection, native seeds and seedlings are planted.
The garden is cultivated organically until harvest. Subsequently, other edible species are planted, in order to make the most of the nutrients in the chosen soil and avoid opening up new areas. Subsequently, the soil used is left to rest to regenerate the forest. The areas are used on a rotational basis.

Quilombolas work in a crony relationship, collectively, helping each other.

In the period of greatest impact of Covid-19, the Cooperative of Quilombola Farmers of Vale do Ribeira implemented the emergency project "From the Quilombo to the Slum" as an alternative for the disposal of 330 tons of organic agricultural products, in view of the end of the sale of products to the National School Feeding Program – PNAE, of the Ministry of Education.

The Emanoel Araujo Afro Brazil Museum supported the initiative through a crowdfunding campaign launched on November 30, 2021, on the occasion of the Day of Donation, a global movement to promote solidarity and the culture of donation.
The project contributed to feeding 42 thousand people during the pandemic and mitigated the impact on the economy of quilombola communities in the Ribeira Valley.

Below, check out the video where representatives of Quilombo São Pedro report their memories and experiences from the Traditional Quilombola Agricultural System.