November in Brazil is a time when everyone remembers
the history of our black grandparents in this country,
This month, Brazilians will be looking back to recall
the various events that took place in during slavery.
The slave trade was one of the most important trades
in the world at that time in which africans were trafficked.
Between the 16th and 19th centuries there was a widespread
slave trade in Africa.
About 12 million africans were exported at that time.
On the Americas, Brazil was the largest importer of
African slaves. At that time, there were around 4 million men, women and
children, more than a third of the total slave trade brought by force to this
country.
From the 16th century, when the King of Portugal took
over the land from the natives, until the 19th century, the slave trade in
Brazil lasted for more than 300 years, making it the last country in the world
to end slavery.
Therefore, it means that during these three hundred
years, africans taken from many parts of Africa worked for the Portuguese
colonial government in Brazil for free and under conditions of inhumanity.
On May 13, 1888, Prince Isabel signed a decree to
abolish slavery in Brazil.
Therefore, in the year 2020, it is the 132nd
anniversary of the end of the slavery in this country.
Isabel Cristina Leopoldina Augusta Micaela Gabriela
Rafaela Gonzaga de Bourbon-Sicilies Two and Bragança was the second child, and the
first daughter of Emperor Pedro II of Brazil and his wife Empress Teresa
Cristina of Sicilies II.
As the heir of the Kingdom of Brazil, she received the
title of Princess
However, the lawo that she signed did not imply any
compensation or guarantee of rights as to promote ex-salves to the status of normal
citizen: how effective the law is when it does not establish the conditions for
the protection of rights (and promotion of status) of black people in this
country with the means to provide balance by:
- the right of the black man to vote;
- changes in rules that discriminate against black
children in school,
- to buy a home,
- and other assistance programs,
For these and other reasons black people in this
country do not celebrate May 13th at all.
Nevertheless, great celebrations are held throughout
Brazil on November 20.
On this day wew celebrate Zumbi dos Palmares, for all
of us, black people in this country believe that he has started the struggle to
end slavery, even in the 16th century.
Zumbi was one of the greatest black leaders in the
history of the Brazilian Empire who fought against slavery.
On November 20, 1695, mercenaries were paid for by the
Portuguese colonial authoriteis killed Zumbi at a place near Quilombo dos
Palmares.
As a result, this day was chosen as the Black
Conscience Day, created in 2003 as a day dedicated to celebrating the
liberation struggle of blacks in national history.
During the slave trade the Quilombo was set up as a
place to provide protection for slaves who escaped from the farms during
slavery.
These settlements were established in Brazil.
The first thought of the Quilombo authorities was to
provide a safe haven for people fleeing the slavery from all over Brazil.
Gradually, these Quilombo areas began to expand
throughout the country.
Colonial authorities at the time began to suspect the
increase in the Quilombo area as a direcet threat to their property.
For this reason, Portuguese authorities have ruled
that wherever it would be seen at least five escape slaves together they should
consider law infringent ones and be treated on due basis.
This decree was issued in 1740.
Zumbi is considered the last leader of Quilombo dos
Palmares
Black conscience is celebrated in Brazil every year.
It is important to know more about the history of the
black people among us.
It is time for us black people in this country to
celebrate the legacy of our forefathers.
It is time to learn more about ourselves.
Notice:
I am grateful to my friend Oyewale Misbah Akanni who has always helped me in my efforts to learn Yoruba, as well as editing everything I publish in Yoruba-Nàgó.
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