Nação | TVE - Chegada dos Negros no RS - 20/05/2013

Summary

This transcript explores the significant but often overlooked role of African slaves and their descendants in the history of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. It highlights their contributions to the state's economy, particularly in the charqueadas (jerked beef production), and their involvement in various historical events like the Farrapos War and the War of Paraguay. The video also addresses the impact of African cultural and religious practices in the region, as well as the creation of quilombos (escaped slave communities). The script emphasizes the need to recognize the African heritage and challenges the myth that the region’s development was solely due to European immigration.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Treaty of Madrid in 1750 replaced the Treaty of Tordesillas and defined Brazil's borders, including the addition of Rio Grande do Sul to Brazil.
• 😀 African-descended people were the first non-European immigrants to settle in Rio Grande do Sul, and their presence significantly shaped the state's economy, culture, and history.
• 😀 Despite the common myth that the black population in Rio Grande do Sul is low, historical records show that blacks played a major role in the state’s early development, including in the economy and as workers in the region's industries.
• 😀 The history of slavery in Rio Grande do Sul is often overlooked, with a tendency to credit the region’s development mainly to European immigrants, but black enslaved people were integral to the state's success, particularly in charqueadas (meat-curing facilities).
• 😀 Charqueadas were responsible for producing 80% of the South’s exports, and enslaved Africans formed the core labor force in these industries, which were key to the region’s prosperity.
• 😀 The environment in the charqueadas was harsh, with poor hygiene, exposure to corrosive salt, and long working hours, making it a grueling and dangerous environment for enslaved workers.
• 😀 Numerous quilombos (communities of runaway slaves) were established in southern Brazil, highlighting the extensive resistance to slavery, despite the region's narrative of being built by free labor.
• 😀 Afro-Brazilian religion and culture were preserved through syncretism within the Irmandades do Rosário (Rosary Brotherhoods), which played a vital role in social and religious life for enslaved and free black people in Rio Grande do Sul.
• 😀 Blacks played an essential role in several key historical events, including the Farroupilha War (1835-1845) and the Paraguayan War (1864-1870), contributing significantly to the military efforts of these conflicts, often under duress.
• 😀 The myth of a 'gentle' form of slavery in the South is debunked by the harsh conditions in industries like charqueadas, where enslaved people endured difficult and dangerous labor.
• 😀 João Cândido, a prominent black leader of the Revolta da Chibata (Revolt of the Lash) in 1910, fought against the brutal treatment of black sailors in the Brazilian Navy, highlighting the long history of resistance and leadership among Afro-Brazilian individuals in Rio Grande do Sul.

Q & A

What was the significance of the Treaty of Madrid in 1750 for Brazil?

The Treaty of Madrid replaced the Treaty of Tordesilhas and defined the borders of Brazil as we know them today. It also included the region of Rio Grande do Sul within Brazilian territory, resolving ongoing territorial disputes between Portugal and Spain.

How did African descendants influence the development of Rio Grande do Sul?

Africans were the first non-European immigrants to settle in Rio Grande do Sul. They played a crucial role in the state's economy, culture, religion, and history, particularly in the labor force, as many were enslaved and worked in various sectors including in charqueadas (jerked beef processing).

What myth about the African presence in Rio Grande do Sul is challenged in the transcript?

The myth that the African population in Rio Grande do Sul was small is debunked. Historically, the region had a significant black population, which was crucial in the state's development, especially in industries like meat processing. This is often downplayed in official narratives, which tend to emphasize European immigration.

What role did charqueadas play in the economy of Rio Grande do Sul?

Charqueadas, or jerked beef factories, were vital to the economy of Rio Grande do Sul, with the labor largely provided by enslaved Africans. These facilities were responsible for 80% of the region's exports, contributing significantly to the state's wealth during the period.

What were the working conditions like for enslaved people in the charqueadas?

The working conditions in charqueadas were harsh and inhumane. The environment was unhygienic, with corrosive salt and the bodies of slaughtered animals, making it a very difficult and dangerous place to work.

How did quilombos relate to the history of slavery in Rio Grande do Sul?

Quilombos, or communities of escaped enslaved people, were a significant part of the resistance to slavery in Rio Grande do Sul. The region had numerous quilombos, and their existence highlights the resistance and escape efforts by enslaved Africans in the area.

What was the role of the Irmandades do Rosário in the black community's social organization?

The Irmandades do Rosário (Rosary Brotherhoods) were essential in organizing the black community, primarily focusing on providing funeral services and collecting resources for the community. They also helped preserve Afro-Brazilian religious practices, often blending them with Catholic traditions.

What historical events demonstrated the involvement of African-descended individuals in military conflicts?

Africans played an important role in both the Guerra dos Farrapos (Ragamuffin War) and the War of Paraguay. In the former, enslaved individuals were incorporated into the revolutionary forces as soldiers, often promising freedom in exchange for military service. Similarly, many African-descended individuals were forced or volunteered to fight in the War of Paraguay.

Who was João Cândido and what was his significance in Brazilian history?

João Cândido was a prominent leader in the Revolta da Chibata (Revolt of the Lash) in 1910, where sailors, largely composed of black individuals, protested against physical punishment in the Brazilian navy. His leadership highlighted the struggles of black people in the military and their fight for basic human rights.

Why is the role of enslaved workers often minimized in the official history of Rio Grande do Sul?

Official narratives often emphasize the contributions of European immigrants and minimize the importance of enslaved workers, leading to a skewed view of the state's development. This silence has been part of an effort to obscure the harsh realities of slavery in the region, including the widespread use of African labor in key industries.