Quilombo Portness / Quilombismo Portuário

Rio de Janeiro's portside areas, particularly the Valongo Wharf Archaeological Site, challenge conventional narratives of racial capitalism and indentured labor by serving as a dynamic site of Afro-Brazilian memorialization. This study introduces 'portness'—a concept that integrates porosity and quilombismo—to analyze the wharf's historical significance as a hub for culture, death, life, and resistance. Unlike privatized urban renewal efforts since 2011, the Valongo Wharf stands as a testament to Afro-Brazilian resilience, offering a critical lens to understand grassroots developments in global port areas. The research juxtaposes these processes through historical sources, revealing the wharf's enduring role in shaping Rio's bayside identity and its broader implications for urban memory.

Sodré, J. G. R., & Lisio, A. d. (2024). Quilombo Portness / Quilombismo Portuário. Rio as Method, 185–198. https://doi.org/10.1215/9781478060123-015