The WFP Centre of Excellence against Hunger produced a video on Quilombo do Bonfim in Paraíba state, in the Northeast of Brazil. Bonfim was the first maroon community in Paraíba to have its territory officially recognized. There are approximately 120 hectares under the dominion of 39 quilombola families – of which 28 are headed by women. In the quilombo, families live on the production of cassava, sweet potatoes, peppers, vegetables, fruits such as bananas, pineapples, oranges, lemons and mandarins, which are sold in the local markets and for the Brazilian public procurement programmes, including the school feeding programme.
The video features the testimony of one of the community leaders and her daughter, who share moving stories of the family before having the Bonfim quilombo territory recognized. In the video, it is clear that the fight for food security in rural territories and, above all, in quilombola territories is strictly related to the recognition of land rights.
The images of the video were made during the study visit of a delegation from Kenya to Paraíba. Representatives of the Kenyan government came to Brazil in 2016 to learn about Brazilian social development programs. The history of Quilombo do Bonfim is so interesting that we decided to share.