It would be interesting to know how much the African slaves influenced warfare in the Americas. Many Kongolese and N’golan warriors sent to Brazil influenced Hand to Hand combat by introducing the “Capoeira” martial art (there are two Capoeira schools, the Angolan and the Brazilian although the later is the better known). The Kilombos or Mocambos wouldn’t have survived for so long if they hadn’t a solid military background.

Actually I think you will find that one is a subset of the other, the Angolan style being a bit slower and more elegiac. The comparison perhaps being not unlike Tai Chi and Kung Fu – part martial art, part dance. Capoeira is a great spectacle and a considerable art form when practiced by someone well versed in the art. The Angolan style is particularly popular in Bahia.

As for Zumbi and the quilombos, well certainly they could draw on their African experience, Zumbi was a king or paramount chief in his own homeland. To this you might add the influence of indigenous Brazilian Indians who also flocked to the quilombos to escape the same fate. Palamares also served as a refuge for a number of whites, escaping the inquisition.

Another factor is that although the crushing of the quilombos was seen as a political and economic imperative, those that formed the expeditions had profit in their mind, so avoiding death in gaining the prize would be a strong motivating factor. The bandeirantes who formed the expedition in 1687 were primarily motivated by profit. Other factors would be the effects of terrain and the will of the oppressed slaves to resist, the alternative being the return to a truly appalling bondage. This is clearly evidenced by the death toll in the final assault on Palamares, where in addition to the 200 plus who were killed in its defence another 200 committed suicide rather than return to slavery.

In terms of the latter two factors, there is a curious echo of Palamares in the late 19th century in Canudos. Multiple expeditions were launched by the state, with disastrous consequences for all but the last. A combination of terrain and a strong will to resist being important factors.

One thing is certain the inhabitants of the quilombos were quite skilled in bush warfare and certainly gave as good as they got.