What I’m Reading.
May 2025
This month I decided to dive into Palmares a historical novel that tells the story of Almeyda, a young Black woman enslaved in 17th-century Brazil. The novel is broken up into a plethora of short stories. We start off following Almeyda's life from her childhood on a plantation, her escape to the fugitive slave settlement of Palmares, and her subsequent journey across colonial Brazil to find her missing husband. The story explores themes of slavery, freedom, survival, and the complexities of human relationships within a historical context infused with magical realism.
It was quite interesting to learn about the settlement of Palmares. It stood as a towering symbol of resistance, a defiant stronghold that challenged the brutal shackles of slavery in colonial Brazil. Founded in the early 1600s by escaped African slaves, this quilombo (maroon community) thrived deep in the dense wilderness, becoming more than just a refuge—it was a resolute beacon of liberation and resilience. At its peak, Palmares housed thousands, forging a self-sustaining society with structured governance, agriculture, and military defense. Its legendary leader, Zumbi dos Palmares, embodied unbreakable spirit and tactical brilliance, orchestrating fierce resistance against relentless Portuguese and Dutch attempts to crush the community.
