Mocambo

[Thomas]

I have seen "El Mocambo" used as the name of hotels, cabarets, etc. in various countries, even in Canada and the USA. In Veracruz, Mexico, there is a beach named Mocambo. However, is the word widely used in Spanish, and if it is, what is the meaning?

In Brazil "mocambo" is closely associated with "quilombo". Unlike in Spanish, in Portuguese a "quilombo" was a multi-racial community where fugitive slaves, Portuguese army deserters, Indians and others lived under their own laws and in defiance of the Portuguese. Some historians believe that as many as 500 quilombos existed in Brazil at one time or another. The most famous was Palmares in the Alagoas area. Some say it lasted for about 90 years, others believe it lasted even longer. In Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, just outside Gramado is "o Vale dos Quilombos" and west of Taquará is a hamlet named "Quilombo". Not surprisingly, in neither place did I find evidence of buildings pre-dating the emancipation of slaves. In São Paulo, not far from Campos de Jordão, there are a grotto and a "morro" linked to escaped slaves.

[poli]

Mogambo means passion is Swahili. It's also a movie.

[Thomas]

Mocambo, not mogambo. Spanish, not Swahili.

Thanks!

[Don José]

That is a new word for me. As poli, I thought in the movie Mogambo.

[Thomas]

Possibly "mocambo" is related to "mogambo". In Brazil a "mocambo" can be a large hut occupied by many families, but over the years it has become the accepted term for "quilombo". At least this is what I understand.

I have heard "quilombo" in Spanish (Argentina and Uruguay?) where the word means a noisy place, a house of ill repute, etc.

Maybe it is like in the States where Spanish words are used to give an exotic touch to a hotel or restaurant: El Ranchito, Ramada Inn, La Hacienda, etc. I used to have dinner in the "La Cantina de la Papagayo". "De la"? LOL There is a Mexican group called "Los Dinners". "Diners", OK. "Dinners"?

elcastellano.org
diccionario argentino-español

quilombo. En su significado concreto, un quilombo es un burdel. Figuradamente, es un lío, desbarajuste o follón, en flagrante injusticia hacia el sector prostibulario, cuyos establecimientos suelen exhibir una mejor organización que muchas reconocidas casas comerciales de la economía formal. Sin embargo, es esta acepción prejuiciosa la que se suele usar en una mayoría abrumadora de los casos.