Uma viva e permanente ameaça : resistência, rebeldia e fugas de escravos no Amazonas Provincial

Abstract

This work analyzes the slaves escapes in the Amazonas of the 19th century second half. Fragments of life found in different movements of escape from captivity, were related to the intricate web of social, power, economic and cultural relations in which slaves were bound. Slaves were the least privileged class social in a excluding social structure, and escaping was a way to redefine captivity. In the period 1850-1870, when there were no laws for emancipation and a few master granted manumissions, many escaped, pressing radically. From 1870, when it was created laws and funds to emancipation, especially the 28th September 1871 Law that freed those born from that date lead to a decrease of escapes. Through hard work, the women slaves (far beyond the men slaves) sought, through legal ways, freedom. Thus, retained autonomy from the old masters, without necessarily breaking relations. In exchange for protection, shelter and education to the "naive", allowed the continued use of child labor. In baptism, chose as godparents to their children the family members of masters and public figures. It was fictitious kinship networks that was used to protect their children from a precarious freedom. In this context, passed away to be a very effective strategy to redefine the conditions of live by himself .