1 of 10 Princess Isabel and Baron of Cotegipe — Photo: Arte g1 Princess Isabel and Baron of Cotegipe — Photo: Arte g1
May 13th is considered the day of the abolition of slavery in Brazil. In 1888, 135 years ago, thenregent Princess Isabel signed the Lei Áurea, which in one document at least spelled out the end of slavery for black people hailing from regions like Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Togo, Benin and Costa Rica were brought ivory, Sierra Leone and Ghana.
In Salvador, where most black people are concentrated outside of the African continent, one can find many tributes to figures directly related to racism and slavery, such as Isabel herself. In the capital of Bahia, there are streets, squares, signs, monuments , buildings and monuments in homage to slave traders and people who benefited from this system.
Princess Isabel
2 of 10 Avenida Princesa Isabel, in Salvador — Photo: Victor Hernandes/g1 Avenida Princesa Isabel, in Salvador — Photo: Victor Hernandes/g1
The Imperial Princess Isabel Cristina of Bragança and Bourbon, daughter of Dom Pedro II and Empress Teresa Cristina, is one of the historical figures honored in Salvador, right on the avenue that connects the districts of Graça and Barra. She also mentions buildings in the historic center and an alley in the Itapuã district.
According to João Carvalho, the end of slavery came about through the struggle of blacks and their allies, not through Isabel’s benevolence. But for many years she took the laurels and the protagonist role of the process.
3 of 10 Princess Elizabeth Photo: Wikimedia Commons Princess Elizabeth Photo: Wikimedia Commons
According to the researcher, the Princess signed the Lei Áurea after much demand and pressure from the authorities, as Brazil was the only western country still maintaining the regime in 1888. Incidentally, the text of the law was only sent out and, in his opinion, presented to the Senate on the last day of the election.
Furthermore, the document signed by Isabel provided no rights, reparations or financial compensation for those who suffered under the slave regime, leaving behind those who, although freed on paper, continued to subject themselves to inhumane conditions in order to survive .
“Focusing all the virtues of abolition on the character of Princess Isabel means wiping out everything that the enslaved and black figures themselves did to fight the days of slavery.” In this scenario, there was no longer a way to perpetuate slavery. “
The abolitionist movement grew in Brazil from the 1870s, mobilizing various groups in Brazilian society in defense of the abolition of slavery. The actions of these groups were varied, consisting of demonstrations and support for Quilombos and black refugees, and the debate also reached politics, making the regime unsustainable.
Lacerda’s elevator
4 of 10 Lacerda Elevator, with Todos os Santos Bay in the background, in Salvador Photo: Alan Oliveira Lacerda Elevator, with Todos os Santos Bay in the background, in Salvador Photo: Alan Oliveira
The Lacerda Elevator is one of the main tourist attractions in Salvador and an important mode of transport for those traveling between the upper and lower towns. It has a history unknown to most visitors and users.
The equipment was designed and financed by the Lacerda family, one of the main people responsible for the trade in Africans who were forcibly brought to Bahia. “The Lacerda family was aristocratic, one of those families that defended and exploited the slave system. They were constantly honored and even received awards,” emphasizes João.
5 of 10 Oil paintings by Antonio Francisco de Lacerda from the Santa Casa de Misericórdia collection Photo: Museu da Santa Casa da Misericórdia Oil paintings by Antonio Francisco de Lacerda from the Santa Casa de Misericórdia collection Photo: Museu da Santa Casa da Misericórdia Compassion
According to him, the buying and selling of blacks was conducted inside the Lacerda house as if they were a commodity being negotiated, and some of the funding for the construction of the elevator, designed by businessman Antônio Franciso de Lacerda, came of the values conveyed through this practice.
“One of the main activities of the Lacerda family was the sale of slaves. “Part of their wealth came from the slave trade on slave ships,” affirms the historian.
Teodosio Rodrigues
Captain and sailor, Portuguese Teodósio Rodrigues de Faria, is responsible for one of the greatest traditions of the Salvadoran population: the worship of Senhor do Bonfim. It was he who brought the effigy of the saint to Salvador in 1745 to give thanks after surviving a storm at sea.
6 out of 10 Teodósio Rodrigues de Faria square, in the Largo do Bonfim — Photo: Max Haack/Secom Teodósio Rodrigues de Faria square, in the Largo do Bonfim — Photo: Max Haack/Secom
However, there is a dark part of its trajectory that is barely revealed. In 1750, Teodósio attained the rank of sea and war captain and began working in human trafficking. At this time, the Portuguese began investing in large ships and engaging in the buying and selling of blacks.
“He was one of the great slave traders of his time. Nonetheless, a memory was created, honors were bestowed on him without taking into account his involvement in the slave trade,” emphasizes Carlos da Silva.
The square and street where the Church of Senhor do Bonfim is located are registered under the name of Teodósio Rodrigues de Faria. His body was buried in the basilica.
7 of 10 Tomb of Teodósio Rodrigues — Photo: Salvador Escravista Tomb of Teodósio Rodrigues — Photo: Salvador Escravista
Carlos adds that Rodrigues de Faria joined other traffickers, José Nunes Martins and Francisco Borges dos Santos, to form a partnership and expand the business. Together, the three bought more than one ship with capacity for up to 500 black people, who made a monthlong voyage in appalling conditions.
Many did not survive the voyage across the Atlantic. It is estimated that 150,000 people died en route to Bahia and about one million two hundred thousand people arrived in the state alive. During the transatlantic trade in enslaved people, Salvador was the second largest port of call for Africans in the Americas.
Baron of Cotegipe
8 of 10 Rua Barao de Cotegipe, in Salvador — Photo: Victor Hernandes/g1 Rua Barao de Cotegipe, in Salvador — Photo: Victor Hernandes/g1
The Baron of Cotegipe names an important street in the Comércio district, one of the most traditional in the capital of Bahia. He is considered one of the most important slave owners of the Brazilian Empire.
The baron kept blacks enslaved in a sugar factory in what is now the city of Candeias, in the Salvador metropolitan area. Project Salvador Escravista estimates that 200 people were held as slaves at this site.
9 of 10 The Baron of Cotegipe even proposed a bill to compensate affected slave owners but was rejected Photo: MUSEU HISTORICO NACIONAL/IBRAM The Baron of Cotegipe even proposed a bill to compensate affected slave owners but was rejected Photo: NATIONAL HISTORICAL MUSEUM/IBRAM
“The baron was publicly opposed to granting freedom to slaves. He was one of the biggest antiabolitionists of his day, so much so that he presented his boss with a bill that would extend slave labor for another three years,” explained Carlos.
Between 1885 and 1888 he chaired the Council of Ministers and enacted the Sexagenarian Law in a format different from that of the black and abolitionist leaders of the time. The project he approved only provided for the release of the sixtyyearold slave, after three more years of work for the landowner or with the option of reaching the age of 65.
While still in this position, the baron was also responsible for forcibly rebuking the abolitionist movement. Physical aggression, beatings, arrests, and persecution were encouraged and sanctioned by him, particularly towards black fugitives and advocates of abolitionism.
“The immense economic and political power of this and other men was transformed into symbolic power. Their memories passed on to posterity as businessmen, entrepreneurs, as great benefactors, but they were not, on the contrary,” says Carlos, recalling that “the forced labor of enslaved Africans and their descendants is in the streets, public and private buildings, churches and other spaces in the city of Salvador.
10 out of 10 Barão de Cotegipe street sign, in Salvador — Photo: Victor Hernandes/g1 Barão de Cotegipe street sign, in Salvador — Photo: Victor Hernandes/g1