The Quilombo dos Palmares was one of the many quilombos of the Brazilian colonial era and its origin dates back to 1580.
Palmares was the refuge for runaway slaves from the captaincies of Pernambuco and Bahia.
What is Quilombo?
The word “quilombo ” has Bantu etymology and refers to the warrior camps in the woods.
It will be, however, in 1740, reporting to the King of Portugal, that the Overseas Council will define quilombo as:
However, among all the quilombos, the most emblematic was that of Palmares, which opposed colonial administration for almost two centuries.
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Quilombo dos PalmaresHistory:Summary
In the beginning, Palmares was populated by a few quilombolas.
However, the war against the Dutch made colonial surveillance weak and hundreds of slaves fled to form the first core of settlement.
Although it emerged at the end of the 16th century, the heyday of Quilombo dos Palmares was in the second half of the 16th century.
The place was home to approximately 20,000 quilombolas. The inhabitants subsisted on hunting, fishing and gathering fruit (mango, jackfruit, avocado and others), as well as agriculture (beans, corn, manioc, banana, orange and sugar cane).
In addition, the quilombolas produced handicrafts (baskets, fabrics, ceramics, metallurgy) and the surpluses were sold to neighboring populations. This generated a reasonably intense economy in the quilombo region.
The first king of Palmares was Ganga Zumba, son of a princess from Congo. His leadership was instrumental in organizing and resisting outside attacks. Later he would be replaced by Zumbi.
There was a difference between the status of the quilombolas. These were divided between:
- those who arrived at the quilombos by their own means (most prestigious);
- those freed by guerrilla incursions (disregarded and indicated for the heaviest jobs).
Note that Quilombo dos Palmares could be decomposed into several mocambos (settlement nuclei). This presupposes the political configuration of decentralization of power between different groups.
In Palmares we also find slavery. However, it was similar to that practiced among the whites of Europe in the High Middle Ages, a voluntary and less degrading slavery.
Location
Quilombo dos Palmares was a safe haven for slaves who escaped from the region's farms.
It was located in Serra da Barriga, in the state of Alagoas, a region covered with palm trees, hence its name.
The Fall of Palmares
The prosperity of Palmares seduced the colonizers. With the expulsion of the Dutch from northeastern Brazil, planters needed an increasing number of slaves to resume sugar production.
Therefore, the Quilombo represented the possibility of obtaining labor, in addition to representing a dangerous example for the slaves.
However, eighteen campaigns were necessary to absolutely destroy Quilombo dos Palmares.
After multiple ungrateful offensives against Palmares, the Portuguese court hires the pioneer Domingos Jorge Velho, experienced in the war of extermination against the indigenous people.
However, even his troops had great difficulties in overcoming the guerrilla tactics of the Maroons. The quilombo would only end shortly after the death of its best-known leader, Zumbi.
The Quilombo dos Palmares region grew after the defeat of the blacks. Over time, it became Vila Nova Imperatriz, elevated to the category of city on August 20, 1889.
However, it will be in 1944 that it will be called União dos Palmares in honor of the quilombo.
Zumbi dos Palmares
Born in Palmares, present-day Alagoas state, in 1655, Zumbi dos Palmares was the most prominent warrior chief in the history of the quilombo.
He was captured at a young age and offered to Father Antônio Melo, who taught him Portuguese and Latin, as well as baptizing him with the name Francisco.
Years later, in 1670, he flees the parish and returns to Quilombo, where he becomes a leader for organizing the resistance.
That's why he earns the name Zumbi (military title of war chief) after planning a series of successful guerrilla strategies.
This included sudden assaults on the engenhos to free slaves and capture weapons, ammunition and supplies for further attacks.
However, after several victories, including against the expeditions of the bandeirante mercenaries, Zumbi was cornered and killed in November 1695.
His head is cut off and transported to Recife, where it was displayed in a public square. Thus, without Zumbi's military command, the quilombo completely disintegrated in 1710.
The "Day of Black Consciousness" is celebrated on November 20th. The date is a tribute to Zumbi dos Palmares and to all blacks who fought bravely against slavery.
Read Also :
- Colonial Brazil
- Slavery
- Slavery in Brazil
- Black Brazilian Personalities