O çhook was a social phenomenon that existed in the North East between the 19th and 20th centuries, characterized by the emergence of groups of armed men who promoted acts of banditry wherever they went. The emergence of these groups is related to the poverty, inequality, lack of state assistance and violence that existed in that region in the mentioned period.
Accessalso: Coronelismo, the policy that characterized the First Republic
Context of Cangaço
At the end of XIX century, Brazil was passing through deep political transformations and social events derived from the outstanding events of that period. Despite this, the country still faced serious problems that had repercussions on society through the reproduction of poverty, hunger, lack of access to justice, between others.
In the inland areas from Brazil, the power of large families over the population it was evident, and what was witnessed was the monopoly of land in the hands of a few and the intense exploitation of the sertanejos. These large families ruled the poor population as a kind of parallel state, and the dispute of interests often resulted in violence.
This power was sustained through the exchange of interests, and, thus, representatives of the State, such as police officers and politicians, for example, acted only as defenders of the interests of these few families. In case there were disagreements, these families used their wealth to resolve the situation through the use of weapons.
This scenario was reproduced in different parts of the country, including the Northeast. The population was affected by the exploitation of their work and saw their living conditions worsened by the drought. Meanwhile, the landowners, called colonels, swam in prosperity and sustained their power in the exploitation of people and the armed force of their jagunços.
This scenario was perfect for the existence of banditry, that is, for the emergence of groups of armed bandits who acted attacking properties and cities, stealing what was possible and murdering those who got in their way. Poverty, the inexistence of the State, the lack of perspectives and, often, the desire for revenge served as motivators for these groups.
In the second half of the 20th century, the Brazilian Northeast witnessed the emergence of groups of bandits who attacked properties and cities in small groups. were the cangaceiros, members of one of the best known phenomena in Brazil: the çhook.
What was the cangaço?
As mentioned, cangaço was a phenomenon of banditry that established itself in the Northeast between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. It is believed that the name of this phenomenon is associated with the word yoke — a piece of wood that joined two oxen to an oxcart. This is because the cangaceiros carried their weapons on their shoulders, resembling the yokes of oxen.
The cangaço was active throughout most of the Northeast, with the exception of Piauí and Maranhão, and was formed by armed men who they acted in groups attacking cities and large properties and extorting locals so that they would not attack and go although. the cangaceiros acted in groups of up to 15 men to facilitate locomotion.
Fewer men meant it was easier to ambush or approach a target unnoticed, and it also made escapes easier. The cangaceiros, even, were not afraid to retreat when necessary, as this would guarantee their survival. In addition, the cangaceiros did not settle in one place, but followed a nomadic life.
knew the Çhit like few and they knew very well hide your tracks. The great name of the cangaceiros, Lampião, even ordered shoes with rectangular soles because, in this way, the tracks left on the ground would not indicate the direction the cangaceiros were taking.
In addition, the cangaceiros had allies, known as cougars, who provided shelter for them when needed. The cangaço's allies belonged to different social classes, ranging from humble people to powerful ones, such as politicians and colonels.
There is a lot of disagreement about how cangaceiros are seen. Some historians work on the thesis that they were vigilantes (people who take justice into their own hands) due to social inequality and the State's inefficiency to improve their lives and ensure justice.
However, other historians point out that the cangaceiros used the issue of social inequality only as a justification to cover up their actions. These historians basically interpret us as bandit groups who acted in the Northeast only in defense of their own interests and who were not necessarily concerned with the well-being of the population.
Still, historians know something about the violence committed by cangaceiros in their attacks. They attacked all their targets with great violence and generally took no prisoners, often preferring to murder the victims. Sometimes, part of the gains obtained from the robberies was distributed to the needy population.
Accessalso: First Republic, the period of greatest influence of the colonels
Lampião and Maria Bonita
Throughout the history of cangaço, a number of leaders stood out in the Caatinga, such as Antonio Silvino, Hair, Jesuino Brilliant and Mr Pereira. However, the most famous cangaceiro in Brazilian history was Virgulino Ferreira da Silva, better known as Lamp. He was the great leader of the cangaço from 1920 to 1938.
Virgulino was not necessarily from a miserable family, he even worked as an artisan and was literate. The turn in his life happened when his father was killed by a policeman on account of a land dispute. Virgulino, then, decided to avenge his paternal death and, for that, he joined the bandit under the leadership of Sinhô Pereira.
After Sinhô Pereira was arrested, Lampião rose as a leader and was recognized as a skilled strategist. He knew very well how to deal with troopssteering wheels, the police officers assigned to fight the cangaceiros.
Next to Lampião was his partner, MariaGomesinOliveira, More known as MariaPretty. She was from a coiteiros family and decided to leave her first husband to stay by Lampião's side. Until 1930, the cangaço had not had the presence of any woman, being Maria Bonita the first.
Maria Bonita did not participate in the combats and had the great role of keeping Lampião company. From their relationship was born onedaughter, in 1932: Expedita Ferreira Nunes. The end of the lives of Lampião and Maria Bonita was tragic, since both were ambushes by the police, in a shelter, in Poço Redondo, Sergipe.
This attack took place in July 1938 and resulted in the couple's death. a cangaceiro called Corisco still tried to continue as leader of Cangaço, but was killed by the police in 1940, marking the definitive end of çhook in Brazil.
