“Homens de ferro, mulheres de pedra” : resistências e readaptações identitárias de africanos escravizados : do hinterland de Benguela aos vales dos rios Paraguai-Guaporé e América espanhola – fugas, quilombos e conspirações urbanas (1720-1809)

Abstract

This research investigates the route and identity formation of enslaved Africans between the years 1720 to 1809, from the hinterland of the port of Benguela to escape and re-start life in the quilombos formed in Guaporé valley or the Spanish American cities. Thus, initially we analyze the political and commercial arrangements, as well as the performance of different historical agents, which enabled the realization of slave trade in the region. In this context not only alliances were settled between local chiefs and of the Portuguese crown agents, as occurred direct confrontation situations, kidnapping of slave ships or clashes in the courts. If on one hand the slave trade gradually advanced to inland areas, particularly by military means, on the other hand, It became feasible only within African commercial structures, such as caravans. After the long crossing of the Atlantic and marketing in the coastal cities of Portuguese America, our iron men and women would be subjected to a new and tortuous journey to the ultimate destination, the mines of Cuiabá and Mato Grosso. Through a route that interspersed river and land paths, exposed to numerous dangers, they were shipped to the confines of the Portuguese America, where they would be employed in mining interspersed with agricultural and domestic activities. However, contrary to the manor expectations, a considerable portion escaped and tried to re-start beyond the shackles, that in the borders between the Iberian crowns could be achieved in the formation of quilombos, adherence to indigenous societies or border Spanish cities. Notably We investigated the composition and longevity of the "Quilombo Grande", led by African Teresa de Benguela. Such as a "hydra", the space reborn after raids and set up in a place of cultural exchanges especially among indigenous and African. Across the border, where we closed our itinerary, we analyze the attempt at a rebellion carried by the alliance between runaway slaves from Portuguese America, slaves from Spanish America and indigenous against Santa Cruz de La Sierra political authorities at the time It began the wars of independence. In short, at all points of the route We are faced with cases where individuals in order to keep their hopes on for a possible life beyond the captivity, resisted, have adapted their identities, took up arms, fled and conspired.