Antônia Gonçalves de Pontes was 91 years old and leaves a legacy of commitment and dedication to the quilombola struggle
Antônia Gonçalves de Pontes, a quilombola leader from the Cangume community in the Ribeira Valley (SP), passed away this Monday (January 6th) at the age of 91. Better known as Dona Antônia, she had 10 children and a history of dedication to the fight for land.
With the support of his family, he fought against dams and mining projects in the region, worked to obtain land titling, and was fortunate to see the Cangume Quilombo recognized by the National Institute of Colonization and Agrarian Reform (Incra) last year.
See the post from Quilombo do Cangume:
Dona Antônia was also one of the most experienced mediums and healers of Cangume, a quilombo formed by black people who fled forced recruitment for the Paraguayan War, around 1870.
Located in the municipality of Itaóca, Cangume has practiced Kardecist spiritualism since the mid-1930s, involving the work of mediums like Dona Antônia. She began developing her abilities at age 17 and has not stopped since. Relatives and friends attend meetings to offer advice, communicate with the living, and hear hymns offering guidance on the path to follow after passing.
Dona Antônia was a great storyteller, cherished the memory of the dead and experienced many celebrations that no longer exist, such as Santa Cruz and tributes in honor of Saint Anthony.
Read the tribute from Congressman Nilto Tatto (PT-SP):
Her legacy lives on in the community's experiences, in the stories around the table, and in the memories of dances. All visitors to the community arrived first at Antônia's house and were greeted with her famous coffee, which she roasted herself, pounded in a mortar, and brewed on the wood-burning stove.
The nephew and current coordinator of the Quilombo Cangume Association, Odair Dias dos Santos (Seu Odair), also pays tribute to his aunt.
"She was practically one of the leading voices in the fight for quilombola land. Her house was so full because she told so many stories. Her dream was to see the territory titled, and she achieved it. She leaves behind only good memories," he said. "She was a wonderful person; she loved the people, the community, and her family. They went through so much, and she never complained about anything," he added.
The Socioenvironmental Institute (ISA) mourns the death of Dona Antônia and expresses its condolences to her family and friends at this time of sadness.
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