The Secret Life of Enslaved Africans in Colonial Brazil

The Atlantic Slave Trade: Empire Built on Human Suffering — Fexingo History · Sep 26, 2026 · 8m · transcript

While the Zong massacre and Haitian Revolution dominate the narrative, a different world was building in colonial Brazil. In this episode, we explore the rise of the Quilombo dos Palmares, a massive maroon society led by Ganga Zumba and later Zumbi. We examine how enslaved Africans from the Bight of Benin and Angola created a complex state with its own governance, agriculture, and military strategy against Portuguese forces. Beyond the battles, we look at the cultural resilience that allowed communities like Palmares to survive for nearly a century through strategic alliances and fierce…