Francisco de Paula Castro e Karl von den Steinen: expedicionários do Xingu (1884)

Abstract

In the late nineteenth century, a significant number of foreign researchers visited Brazil in order to conduct exploratory trips. One of these explorers was Karl von den Steinen who was in Brazil on two occasions, the first being in 1884 when he visited the Xingu region in the company of two other Germans, several Brazilian military and hired guides. This research presents the results of reading and analyzing the travel report produced by the Brazilian Army Infantry Captain Francisco de Paula Castro in 1884, during the voyage of exploration of the Xingu River. The work rescues information about the assembly, as well as the scientific expedition led by the German doctor and ethnologist Karl von den Steinen from the official records for almost six months away. The research sought to explore the details presented by the official on the contact of the exploiters with the Indians found along the way. The study also sought to examine the role played by Francisco de Paula Castro during the expedition jobs from the report of the confrontation with texts written by Karl von den Steinen on the scientific expedition. The work brings results in the recovery of important issues and events occurred during the exploratory trip of 1884.