O Quilombo do Manoel Padeiro

Summary

The Quilombo of Manuel Padeiro, established in the 19th century in the Pelotas region, was a significant resistance movement against slavery. Led by Manuel Padeiro, an escaped slave, the quilombo's members, including African natives and mulattos, conducted raids on slave owners, freeing enslaved individuals and seizing goods. Their military-style tactics made them notorious. Despite strong resistance and police efforts, the group persisted until its leaders were eventually captured or killed, and some may have joined the fight in the Farroupilha Revolution. The ultimate fate of the quilombolas remains uncertain, with speculation they either fled to Uruguay or continued their raids.

Takeaways

• 😀 Manuel Padeiro's Quilombo was one of the most significant quilombos in the Pelotas and Serra dos Tapes regions during the 19th century.
• 😀 The quilombo began in 1834, with Manuel Padeiro, likely an escaped slave, organizing a group of fellow runaway slaves and free people.
• 😀 By 1835, Manuel Padeiro's group had grown to around 12 people, including key figures like João (Juiz de Paz) and Alexandre Moçambique (military leader).
• 😀 The quilombo raided properties in the region, freeing enslaved individuals and taking supplies like food, clothing, and weapons.
• 😀 A key attack occurred on June 16, 1835, when a military patrol discovered one of the group's camps, resulting in the deaths of two quilombolas and the capture of others.
• 😀 Despite the crackdown, the quilombos continued their raids, and in July 1835, they targeted another property but were unable to liberate enslaved people there.
• 😀 The group had close ties with Simão Vergara, a freedman who ran a store where the quilombos sold stolen goods.
• 😀 Manuel Padeiro enforced strict discipline among his followers, even punishing those who violated the group's rules or took risky actions.
• 😀 The quilombos' primary enemies were the 'feitores' (overseers) of plantations, whom they deeply resented, and some of these overseers were killed during raids.
• 😀 By the fall of 1835, most of the group had either been killed or captured, with Manuel Padeiro likely dying in combat. Some believe the remaining quilombolas may have fled to Uruguay or continued their resistance in hiding.

Q & A

What was the Quilombo of Manuel Padeiro, and why is it considered one of the most important in history?

The Quilombo of Manuel Padeiro was one of the most significant quilombos in the history of Pelotas and the Serra dos Tapes region during the 19th century. It played a crucial role in the resistance against slavery in Brazil, as it was led by Manuel Padeiro, a former enslaved person, who managed to organize a group of enslaved people and create a community based on freedom.

Who was Manuel Padeiro, and what was his role in the Quilombo?

Manuel Padeiro was an enslaved person who escaped from his master, Boaventura Teixeira Barcelos, and became the leader of the Quilombo. As the chief, he was responsible for organizing and leading the quilombolas, enforcing discipline, and managing attacks on properties, while maintaining strict control over the group.

How did the Quilombo of Manuel Padeiro originate, and where was it located?

The Quilombo of Manuel Padeiro originated in the Serra dos Tapes region, near Pelotas, during the early 1830s. This area, which was sparsely populated, saw the formation of the quilombo around the second half of 1834, when Manuel Padeiro and his followers began to resist enslavement by attacking local farms and settlements.

What was the role of the various leaders within the Quilombo, such as João, Alexandre Moçambique, and others?

Within the Quilombo, there were several important figures who held distinct roles. João acted as the peacekeeper or judge, although the exact nature of his function is not fully understood. Alexandre Moçambique served as the captain, handling military matters. Other figures included Pai Matheus, Mariano Antônio, and Antônio Cabinda, who contributed in various ways to the quilombo's organization and survival.

How did the Quilombo of Manuel Padeiro interact with the local enslaved population?

The Quilombo had significant support from the local enslaved population. Many enslaved people from nearby farms would join the quilombolas, sometimes even participating in their camps and feasting with them. Additionally, the quilombolas would raid nearby properties, often taking enslaved people with them to join their cause.

What were some of the main tactics and objectives of the Quilombo of Manuel Padeiro?

The quilombolas primarily carried out attacks on local farms, houses, and senzalas (slave quarters), where they seized food, weapons, and enslaved people. One of their key tactics was to liberate enslaved individuals from their captors, and they also traded goods with people like Simão Vergara, a freed black man who supported their efforts.

What led to the eventual downfall of the Quilombo of Manuel Padeiro?

The downfall of the Quilombo came after a series of confrontations with local authorities and armed forces. In June 1835, a large-scale confrontation led to the death of two quilombolas and the capture of others. Manuel Padeiro and some of his followers were eventually captured or killed, marking the end of the quilombo's resistance.

What happened to Simão Vergara, and how was he involved with the quilombolas?

Simão Vergara, a freed man who owned a store, played a crucial role in aiding the quilombolas by buying goods that they had stolen. He communicated with the quilombolas in the Kikongo language. For his involvement in supporting the quilombo, Vergara was arrested and sentenced to 15 years in prison.

How did Manuel Padeiro maintain discipline within the Quilombo?

Manuel Padeiro enforced strict discipline within the Quilombo. He was known for his harsh methods, including punishing those who made mistakes or compromised the group's security, sometimes by physically punishing them. His leadership style was authoritarian, ensuring that the quilombolas followed his commands to avoid detection.

What are some of the theories regarding the fate of the remaining quilombolas after the fall of Manuel Padeiro's Quilombo?

After the fall of the Quilombo, there are three main theories regarding the fate of the remaining quilombolas. One suggests they joined the Black Lanceiros, a group that fought in the Farroupilha Revolution. Another theory is that they fled to Uruguay, where slavery had been abolished. The third possibility is that they continued living in the Serra dos Tapes, surviving by continuing to raid local properties.