In the morning of Tuesday last week (February 8), the IBGE State Unit in Mato Grosso met quilombola leaders in the new branch of the metropolitan area of Cuiabá to discuss the importance of the participation of that community in the 2022 Population Census, which will bring specific questions for quilombolas for the first time ever. Leaders from Mata Cavalo de Cima, Mata Cavalo de Baixo, Capão do Negro, Barreiro, São Gonçalo II and Abolição quilombos were present.

During the event, Millane Chaves, head of the IBGE State Unit in Mato Grosso, explained the methodology of the 2022 Census and talked about the areas of operational interest in the state. The cooperation of the leaders was emphasized, so as the information about data collection is passed on to the other members of the quilombos in order to provide suitable answers to the enumerators.

Elizeu da Silva, known as Xumxum, from the Capão do Negro quilombo, of Várzea Grande, supports the Population Census and validates the IBGE´s decision to count on a quilombola community guide in these areas.

Willian Reis de Olegário, from the Abolição quilombola community, of Santo Antônio do Leverger, stressed the loss of his mother language and the need to recover his culture, as well as the support to the 2022 Census.

Servant Micael Etiene de Souza, CNEFE´s state coordinator (National Address File for Statistical Purposes), explained the methodology of the survey and dealt with the difficulty to map the state. Márcio Henrique Cavichiolli, deputy head of the UE-MT, highlighted the importance of Law no. 10,639, of 2003, which obliges the inclusion of the “Afro-Brazilian History and Culture” subject in schools.