XVII Congress of the Brazilian Studies Association

Corpo, terra e mar: Beatriz Nascimento’s concepts of quilombo and quilombismo

• In Event: Pioneering Afro-Brazilian Thinkers and their Contemporary Legacies

Abstract

In the landscape of Afro-Brazilian thought, Beatriz Nascimento’s conceptions of quilombo and quilombismo are often forgotten. However, they stand out for their depth and transformative power. This work aims to present a comprehensive review of these concepts, attempting to delineate their underlying philosophy and their continued relevance in contemporary Afro-Brazilian identity discourses. The term quilombo traditionally refers to settlements formed by those fleeing slavery and colonial oppression, but in Nascimento’s view it transcends mere physicality to encompass a realm of spirit, resistance, and cultural affirmation. This paper emphasizes how Nascimento envisioned quilombo as a symbiotic fusion of corpo (body), terra (land), and mar (sea), melding ancestry, territory, and transatlantic memory. Meanwhile, quilombismo, a less explored but equally potent concept, is framed as a dynamic socio-political philosophy advocating for unity, resistance, and Afro-Brazilian empowerment. Drawing on her texts, interviews, and contemporary interpretations, this work seeks to deepen our understanding of Nascimento’s vision.

Author

• Tassiana Moura de Oliveira, University at Albany - SUNY