Quince festival reaffirms tradition in “quilombo” near Brasília
Quince jam, quince soup with cheese, quince liqueur: these are just some of the delicacies celebrated in Quilombo Mesquita, a community founded by black people fleeing slavery during Brazil’s colonial period. Every January, following the quince harvest, this community, located 48 kilometers away from Brasília, comes together to celebrate a tradition that has endured for generations.Originally introduced by the Portuguese during colonization, the quince has thrived in the Brazilian climate, becoming a staple in the region for over a century."This tradition goes back to my great-grandparents, who passed it on to my grandparents, then to my parents, and now to me. You can use quince for everything—eat it whole, make soup, or prepare jam," explains Joselino Pereira Dutra, a farmer, as he t...