13th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest People
Plans for the Future

Souls Valley is a quilombo, a place where fugitive slaves hid in the time of slavery in Brazil. Their descendants live there to this day and know little progress and the place has no electric power . For its historical origin and geographical isolation, community members live in peace and solidarity.Everyone own the whole place . The TV has not yet come and culture is transmitted orally.The place is about 340 Km away from Brasilia in Cavalcante town. City's access to the valley is done on rocky roads, by mule or in off-road vehicles .“Kalungas(as they are called this ancient community) practice subsistence agriculture with ancestral techniques and the houses are built of adobe (mud) bricks. Adults sell their produce in nearby cities and do odd jobs to earn extra money. They are wise and complete in his refuge, habitat. Lose their innocence in the outer world .There is a small school in the valley. The visitor's impression is that time has stopped there and that the prevailing peace is the fruit of solidarity among people. Souls Valley is home to this community and the River of Souls is the place of amusement, relief from the heat, rSouls Valley is a quilombo, a place where fugitive slaves hid in the time of slavery in Brazil. Their descendants live there to this day and know little progress and the place has no electric power . For its historical origin and geographical isolation, community members live in peace and solidarity.Everyone own the whole place and there are no markings fences. The TV has not yet come and culture is transmitted orally.The place is about 340 Km away from Brasilia in Cavalcante town. City's access to the valley is done on rocky roads, by mule or in off-road vehicles .“Kalungas(as they are called this ancient community) practice subsistence agriculture with ancestral techniques and the houses are built of adobe (mud) bricks. Adults sell their produce in nearby cities and do odd jobs to earn extra money. They are wise and complete in his refuge, habitat. Lose their innocence in the outer world .There is a small school in the valley. The visitor's impression is that time has stopped there and that the prevailing peace is the fruit of solidarity among people. Souls Valley is home to this community and the River of Souls is the place of amusement, relief from the heat, reflection and integration with nature.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 05.2014
Date Uploaded: 06.2015
Photo Location: Cavalcante , Brazil
Camera: NIKON D3
Copyright: © Sergio Amaral