Brazil: A racial democracy? The case of Zumbi
A brief intro on Zumbi...
“Long ignored by official textbooks, the story of Zumbi has been kept alive for centuries in Afro-Brazilian story-telling, song, and dance.
Zumbi was born at Palmares in 1655. As a toddler, he was kidnapped in a Portuguese raid and given to a Jesuit priest names Antonio Melo, Brazilian historians say. By the age of 10, he learned both Latin and Portuguese.
At 15, Zumbi escaped from his Portuguese mentor and made his way back to Palmares. Eight years later, he became king, replacing his uncle, Ganga Zumba, who had accepted a peace treaty with the Portuguese. Zumbi was said to be so angry with his uncle that he had him poisoned.
Defying the treaty, Zumbi kept up a relentless war on slavery, raiding sugar plantations and freeing salves. Plantation owners financed annual military expeditions against Palmares, but Zumbi’s warriors revisited with a combination of guerrilla warfare and European-style defense, including the digging of trenches bristling with sharpened sticks.
At last, desperate sugar barons turned to Domingos Jorge Velho, a notorious mercenary who brought his personal army of 1,000 Indians and whites to assist some 8,000 Portuguese soldiers, according to historian Decio Freitas. The final battle in 1694 lasted 22 days. Palmares was destroyed.
Today, Palmares, some 50 miles from the Alagoas state capital of Maceio, is a registered historical landmark. In 1992, archaeologists began digging at the site, finding pieces of ceramics, arms, walls, and palisades. A monument to Zumbi at Palmares is in the works.”
Copywrited: Christian Science Monitor 11/24/95
Uma apresentação breve em Zumbi...
Ignorado para muito tempo por textos oficiais, a história de Zumbi esteve mantida vivo durante séculos em história-falada Afro-brasileiro, canção, e dança.
O Zumbi estava em Palmares em 1655. Como um bebê, ele foi sequestrado num ataque português e dado a um sacerdote de jesuíta chemada Melo de Antonio, historiadores brasileiros dizem. Pela idade de 10, aprendeu latim e português.
Pela idade de 15, Zumbi escapou de seu conselheiro português e voltou a Palmares. Oito anos mais tarde, ele tornou-se rei, substituindo seu tio, Zumba de Ganga, que tinha aceitado um tratado de paz com o português. O Zumbi esteve dito estar muito zangado com seu tio que ele teve envenenou a ele.
Desafiar o tratado, Zumbi mantiveram uma guerra grande contra escravidão, assalta plantações de açúcar e libertando escravos. Os proprietários dos plantações financiaram expedições militares contra Palmares, mas guerreiros do Zumbi persistiram com uma combinação de guerrilha e defesa do estilo europeu, incluindando o cavar de trincheiras eriçando-se com paus afiados.
Por fim, os proprietários foram a Domingos Jorge Velho, um mercenário famoso que trouxe seu exército pessoal de 1.000 índios e brancos ajudar alguns 8.000 soldados portugueses, de acordo com historiador Decio Freitas. A ultima batalha passou em 1694 durou 22 dias. O Palmares foi destruído.
Hoje, Palmares, algumas 50 milhas do Maceio, capital de estado de Alagoas, é um sito histórico registrado. Em 1992, archaeologists começaram cavar no local, achando pedaços de cerâmica, braços, paredes, e paliçadas. Um monumento a Zumbi em Palmares está em trabalho.
The Official Myth
Zumbi remains a mythical figure still alive in Brazil and around the world. Annually, beginning in 1978, Brazil celebrates National Black Consciousness Day, originally called Zumbi Day, on November 20. In 1994, Brazil celebrated the 300th anniversary of Zumbi’s death with grand celebrations, dances, and festivals. The government released an official book by the education ministry to all youth telling the importance of Zumbi.
This book, however, continues the myth of a racial democracy. It makes Zumbi appear to be just like any other child, no matter what race, even though Zumbi was a slave and not like all the children of the times. The official myth of the Education Ministry makes youth forget of the inequality that Zumbi fought against. The following is the first chapter of book about Zumbi.
O Mito Oficial
Zumbi permanece uma figura mítica viva no Brasil e ao redor do mundo. Anualmente, começando em 1978, Brasil celebra na dia preto nacional de consciência em novembro 20. Originalmente foi chamado Dia de Zumbi. Em 1994, Brasil celebrou o 300 aniversário de morte do Zumbi. Há celebrações grandiosas, danças, e festivais. O governo liberou um livro oficial pelo ministério de educação a toda juventude contando a importância de Zumbi.
Este livro, no entanto, no mito de uma democracia racial. Faz Zumbi somente como qualquer outra criança, nenhuma questão o que corre. O Zumbi era escravo embora, não como todas as crianças das vezes. O mito oficial do Ministério de Educação faz juventude esquecer-se da desigualdade que Zumbi lutou contra. O seguir é o primeiro capítulo de livro sobre Zumbi.
The Life of Zumbi of Palmares
Student Workbook
In this year of 1995, all of Brazil is commemorating the 300th Anniversary of Zumbi of Palmares. There will be parties, contests, events, shows and television programs. They will go and commemorated until the foreigner says he values Zumbi.
They will say this in English, German, Spanish, Japanese, and Swahili (an African language). In these and other languages spoken worldwide.
I know that, but what is a Tercentennial?
Tri is to say three times. Centennial is to say 100 years. Tercentennial, therefore, is a thing that has 300 years. The tercentennial that we are commemorating, therefore, is 300 years of the death of Zumbi of Palmares. This is true. But, Zumbi, who was he?
He was a young black child like all of the rest in Brazil . He played hopscotch. He flew his paper kite. He ate cashews. He rode his stick and pretended that he was a horse. He did not play soccer because this game was not invented yet. At night, in the dark, he was afraid of the bogie-man and the headless horseman. The same as any child. When Zumbi grew up, he did astonishing things.
Zumbi as a mythical figure is present in Afro-Brazilian song and dance. One of the means the spirit of Zumbi is alive is Capoiera.
O Zumbi como uma figura mítica é presente em Afro-brasileiro canção e dança. Um do meio o espírito de Zumbi está vivo é Capoiera.
Afro-Brazilian Song/Dance: Capoiera
“Brought by African slaves, capoeira appeared in Brazil during the slavery period. First a fight, it later turned into characteristics of a dancing game. The best capoeira players of all time are Master Besouro, Master Pastinha, and Master Bimba.
The main insturment played with capoeira is the berimbau. The berimbau consists of a wire strung along a bow, a dry gourd, and a rattle.
Players form a circle and begin to fight, hitting in the air but never having personal contact. The players use their hands, arms, and elbows for support; however, only feet are used to hit. In capoeira it is very important to know how to move your body, having agility, flexibility, cordination, and dexteritiy.”
Play Capoeira online! Zumbi is a mythical figure used in the game. www.spiritonin.com/capoeirafighter
UW-Madison has a Capoeira club you can join. http://omulu.rso.wisc.edu/
Canção/Dança Afro-brasileiro: Capoiera
“" Levada por escravos africanos, a capiera apareceu no Brasil durante o p eríodo as escravidão. Inicialmente era uma luta mas depois passou a ter característericas de jogo dança. Os maiores capoeiristas de todos os tempos foram Mestre Besouro, Mestre Pastinha e Mestre Bimba.
O principal instrumento tocado para acompanhar o jogo da capoeira é o berimbau. O berimbau consiste de um arame esticado em um arco, uma cabaça e um chocalho.
Os jogadoes formam uma roda e começam a lutar, dando golpes no ar, sem haver contato pessoal. Eles usam as mãos, os braços, e os cotovelos como apoio; somente os pés são usados para golpear. Na capoeira é muito importante saber movimentar o corpo, tendo agilidade, flexibilidade, coordenaçáo e dextreza".” Português Para Principiantes (Leroy, 1993)
Jogue Capoeira online! O Zumbi é uma figura mítica usada no jogo. www.spiritonin.com/capoeirafighter
A universidade de UW-Madison tem um clube de Capoeira que você pode unir-se. http://omulu.rso.wisc.edu/
Many Brazilian artists have wrote songs about Zumbi. Below are some of the songs and lyrics.
Song/Canções
- Zumbi A felicidade Guerriera--Gilberto Gil
- Zumbi--Jorge Ben
- Zambie Mameto--Carlinhos Brown
- Rei Zumbi--Z' África
- Zumbi-- Paranaué Dor
- Quilombo Groove--Chico Science
Here are some of the lyrics:
Zumbi—Jorge Ben
Angola gongô benguela |
Angola gongô benguela There is a large auction They says that in him there exists That came together with his subjects I want to see I want to see Seeing the harvest of cotton I want to see |
Zumbi (A Felicidade Guerreira)—Gilberto Gil
Zumbi, comandante guerreiro |
Zumbi, war commander Together with the fan, a tap dance from the master-school of samba In every stage of war until the end My grand land, my cradle, my nation Send the emancipation through my heart. |
Zumbi Images in Brazil
The story of Zumbi is featured in a 2002 comic book.
Zumbi as a figure for Brazil Awareness Day
Zumbi’s face on the Prize for the 2003 São Paulo Classic
Zumbi on a stamp
Zumbi on coins
Street Art with Zumbi 
Zumbi on the side of a store
Zumbi and Capoiera
A Univerisity founded in Zumbi’s name
Palmares is one of the numerous quilombos (runaway slave colonies in Brazil during times of slavery) Palmares, it is estimated, reached a population of 20,000 people.
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