The Kalunga people of Chapada dos Veadeiros are Brazil's largest Quilombola community, descendants of enslaved Africans who escaped and established hidden settlements in this remote region over 300 years ago. Through strategic isolation in the challenging terrain, they maintained their freedom and developed a unique culture blending African traditions with adaptations to the Cerrado environment. Living across 253,000 hectares of protected territory, the Kalunga people have developed intimate knowledge of the Cerrado's ecology, practicing sustainable farming methods and traditional medicine using local plants. Their communities, comprising around 3,000 people, are largely self-sufficient, with distinct dialects, festivals, and customs preserved through generations. Today, while maintaining many traditional practices, the Kalunga communities face both challenges and opportunities. They continue to defend their land rights while selectively engaging with the outside world through sustainable tourism and cultural exchange, sharing their rich heritage while preserving their unique way of life in harmony with the Cerrado landscape.