April 1st is the Abolition of Indian Slavery
April 1st is the Abolition of Indian Slavery Day, a date that commemorates the end of the enslavement of indigenous peoples in Brazil. During colonization, the Indians were forced to work for the Portuguese, facing violence and loss of freedom.
Indigenous slavery began in 1534 and was officially prohibited on two occasions: first, in 1755, in Grão-Pará and Maranhão, and then, in 1758, throughout the country, by order of the Marquis of Pombal. Before that, in 1680, a law already prohibited the capture of new Indians, but did not free those who were already enslaved.
Many indigenous people fled to the interior to avoid slavery. In addition, the Jesuit priests defended catechization, which made it difficult to exploit indigenous labor. As a result, the Portuguese began to bring enslaved Africans.
The date serves to remember indigenous resistance and the importance of recognizing their history and culture.
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