Blackwell Reference Online

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Zumbi was the final and most famous leader of Palmares , a quilombo known in English as a maroon society (a community or society of escaped slaves) that existed nearly throughout the seventeenth century in the Brazilian state of Pernambuco. Under Zumbi's leadership, the citizens of Palmares (Palmarinos) defended the quilombo against the final Portuguese offensive, which ultimately led to Palmares’ destruction. Like much of the history of Palmares, few verifiable facts are known about Zumbi and much about his life has become mythic. Zumbi's name is also often spelled “Zambi.” It is unclear whether “Zumbi” is a proper name, a title, or a term expressing reverence. Much that is known about Zumbi's life comes from Portuguese reports and is the subject of debate among scholars. Zumbi was probably born free in Palmares around 1655. At the time of his birth, Palmares had already been in existence for about 50 years and was home to thousands of escaped slaves as well as free-born people of African descent. The year 1655 also saw the Portuguese lead their first major assault on Palmares, under the command of Brás da Rocha Cardoso, after first expelling the Dutch who had controlled Pernambuco from 1637 to 1654. The assault was largely as ineffective as previous offenses led by the Dutch and those led by the Portuguese prior to the Dutch capture of Pernambuco in 1637. Early reports suggest ... log in or subscribe to read full text