Kalunga Village

The Território Kalunga brings together 39 communities formed by descendants of enslaved Africans who built forms of autonomy and resistance in the interior of the Cerrado. They are spread across Cavalcante, Teresina de Goiás and Monte Alegre de Goiás, within the Sítio Histórico e Patrimônio Cultural Kalunga.

Rivers, mountain ranges, farm plots, paths and places of celebration are part of this history. Remaining on the land made it possible to pass agricultural, culinary, religious and environmental knowledge down through generations. Elders play an important role in guiding families and in keeping the memory of the paths.

The word Kalunga has Bantu origins and different meanings, including associations with well-being and with the world of the ancestors. The meaning lived by the communities goes beyond a single translation. The Sussa, the festivals, the food and the cultivation of the land express this identity.

Recognition as a territory conserved by peoples and communities — TICCA — highlights the relationship between community life and the protection of nature. The election of a Kalunga mayor also marked the region's political representation.

Visiting the communities

Engenho II organizes access to Santa Bárbara, Capivara and Candaru. In Vão do Moleque, Cachoeira do Guardião combines a walk, a canyon and clear water in the dry season. Each community has its own way of organizing visits.

Book through the community channels, hire the required guides and arrange meals before walking. Restaurants, shops and local products are part of the experience. Ask permission to photograph people, homes and celebrations, and respect the spaces residents use in daily life.