Chica da Silva was one of the great personalities of Brazil in the colonial period and was the target of many stereotypes, mainly in the nineteenth century. She was the daughter of a black slave and a white Portuguese who, sold as a slave, won your freedom and became one of the richer women of all Cologne. Chica da Silva had to deal with racism throughout her life and, to this day, some prejudiced views about it remain in popular culture.
Accessalso: Slave trafficking - how enslaved Africans were brought to Brazil
Origins of Chica da Silva
Chica da Silva was born in Arraial do Milho Verde, located in the current city of Serro, in the interior of Minas Gerais. The exact year of her birth is not known, but it is known that it was sometime between 1731 and 1735. Her mother was an enslaved African named Maria da Costa (the “Costa” indicates its origin in Africa, the Costa da Mina).
Chica da Silva's father was a Portuguese named Antônio Caetano de Sá, who did not recognize her as a daughter and sold her as a slave to a doctor who lived in a neighboring village, Arraial do Tijuco (now the city of Diamantina). The doctor's name was Manuel Pires Sardinha, he ended up getting her pregnant, causing Chica to give birth to her first child, who was registered as Simão.
How did Chica da Silva get rich?
The enrichment of Chica da Silva is directly related to the arrival of João Fernandes de Oliveira, sent to Diamantina as contractorindiamonds. João Fernandes bought Chica da Silva from its former owner for 800 milreis and, shortly thereafter, it was manumitted (was released from slavery) by the contractor.
João Fernandes and Chica da Silva had a relationshiploving which spanned nearly two decades, but it is important to note that both were never married according to current legislation at that time. Chica's enrichment happened as a result of having had a romantic involvement with one of the richest men of the colonial period.
Over her nearly twenty years of relationship with the diamond contractor, Chica had thirteen children and enjoyed a lot of wealth and a certain social prestige – won more by the influence of your money. That's because, despite being rich, Chica still had to deal with the racism that existed in the colonial period.
Chica da Silva she sought to integrate into social circles of Diamantina and used all the influence her money could offer. Remembering that Brazil, at that time, was extremely racist, since slavery was based solely on racial issues. Thus, Chica da Silva faced difficulties to be accepted. She managed to frequent the most important social circles of the time, but historians still say that there were limitations to its acceptance.
Chica's relationship with the diamond contractor lasted until 1770 and was interrupted by his decision to return to Portugal to settle will issues because of her father's death. João Fernandes, however, left many possessions to Chica da Silva in Diamantina. The contractor remained in Portugal until his death in 1776.
Accessalso: Arcadismo – Chica da Silva contemporary literary school
Chica da Silva's family
As mentioned, Chica da Silva had thirteen children with João Fernandes. Of these thirteen, nine were women and four were men. Chica da Silva was directly linked to the education of her nine daughters and they studied in the best convents in the region of Diamantina – places that only accepted the economic elite. The four male children were taken to Portugal in 1770, when the contractor decided to return to his homeland.
Myths about Chica da Silva
Chica da Silva's image has been repeatedly maligned throughout Brazil's history – the result of a society that does not accept the social ascension of blacks. This racism around Chica da Silva sought delegitimize and disqualify her success and the fact that she has become one of the richest women in Brazil.
The first record that is known about Chica da Silva is from the 19th century and was written by a lawyer named Joaquim Felicio dos Santos. This report is known as “Memories of the Diamond District” and, in it, the author tried to demonstrate Chica as a coarse, lascivious woman without any charm. He tried to emphasize that Chica had no attraction that would justify the contractor's passion for her.
It is clear here Joaquim's attempt to disqualify Chica and everything she has achieved in her life. What many throughout Brazilian history have failed to recognize is that Chica da Silva rose socially on her own merits and that, far from all the criticisms they made, she was aordinary woman at her time and, therefore, she tried to be religious and to give good education to all her children. She was also a woman of manypossessions, as she had many properties and was the owner of many slaves.
Chica da Silva's death
Chica da Silva died in February 15, 1796 and her causes of death are still unknown. She was buried in a tomb in the Church of São Francisco de Assis, in Diamantina. This demonstrates her reach of wealth, as a burial in this church was something only very rich people could achieve at that time.
Accessalso: Understand the dissatisfaction movement that failed in Minas Gerais
Chica da Silva's representation in popular culture
Many know the historical character Chica da Silva because of her representations in popular culture, highlighted in cinema and television. These representations popularized the character, but also reinforced a series of stereotypes about her. In popular culture, Chica da Silva was portrayed in a film of 1976 and a novel of 1996. Both productions were called “Xica da Silva”.
