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Malê Insurrection

Malê is a word derived from the “iorubá”; (language of the African slaves of the hauçá -or haussa - and nagô ethnics), originally “imalê” used to designate slaves that spoke and wrote Arab. The Malê insurrection took place between January 25th and 27th of 1835 in Salvador city, capital of Bahia State in Brazil. It was an insurrection of racial content from slaves of the Hauçá and Nagô ethnics organized around a common goal of freedom for all African slaves.

Background

During the first decades of the 19th century, the situation of the Africans in Brazil, specifically in Bahia state, who concentrated in the largest African community, was very dire. Many were slaves, or working under slave conditions, such as “earning slaves” who worked in profitable professions, such as tailor, carpenter, hand made goods etc, but whose earnings were shared with their lords.

Being in such condition, and due to the way they were disrespectfully treated, they had no possibility of social ascension. This situation drove them to revolt against the dominant white caste. Between 1807 and 1830, more than 20 rebellions occurred in Bahia state.

By this time, almost half of Salvador city was comprised of African slaves of many different ethnic groups, among them Hauçás and Nagôs, The two groups who played the most important role in the Malês insurrection. Because many of the slaves were “free” working on paid jobs, they had the ability to circulate around the city and create networks, buy weapons and get together to create a plan of action.

The plan of action

In January 1835, a group of between 700 and 1500 Africans set up a plan to free some arrested slaves who were important leaders in their communities. They raised money, elaborated plans, and planned everything but were betrayed by a rebel's wife. Even though their plot was uncovered, they were still able to carry out their plans, though were outnumbered by the National Guard and having less firepower, they were massacred.

During the battle, seven of the National Guard were killed as were around 70 Africans. 200 went to court and their sentences were death,flogging or hard labor. Of those spared capital punishment, most all were still tortured to death. More than 500 slaves were deported back to Africa.

The aftermath

Although many participants were massacred or later suffered inhumane punishment, the Malês insurrection worked to show authorities and the ruling class the system of slavery was wrong. Soon after, laws were enacted which ultimately led to the emancipation of slaves throughout Brazil.