Analysis of the life conditions of quilombolas communities in Tocantins, Brazil

Abstract

The present study carried out a descriptive approach on the living conditions of families in some quilombola communities in the state of Tocantins. Through the application of a structured questionnaire, 414 families were interviewed, distributed in 21 quilombola communities in the State. From the interviews, it was observed that the communities were formed by a higher percentage of male quilombolas, in the adult age group. Many families had an income of up to one minimum wage, a value also made possible by the Bolsa Família Program, which complements the income of these families. In addition, a significant percentage of the residents engaged in farming and/or handicraft activities, and most of the population had Elementary School I (5th grade) as an educational level. The results of this study revealed that, despite having improved the access of quilombola communities to schools, many families are low-income and still lack basic sanitation and electricity in their homes. Therefore, the information presented here can contribute to the implementation of public policies aimed at quilombola communities in Tocantins.