“Distinguished People”: The Formation of the Political Elite of a Village in Bahia Backlands, 1880-1919

Abstract

This article examines the process of political-elite formation in the District of Beija-Flor or Bela Flor, currently known as Guanambi, located in the Bahia hinterland in Brazil. The study focuses on the years between 1880 and 1919, using National Guard patents as markers of the social and political importance of sixty members of the social group that occupied the existing spaces of power, in the context of regional “coronelism” (rural oligarchies). By analyzing civil and electoral records, the research identifies three distinct phases in the district’s history: structuring, consolidation, and emancipation. The article presents general characteristics of the village in relation to illiteracy, gender, matrimonial strategies, and occupations. The findings reveal that, while the main political objective was to structure the district and obtain its emancipation, there was some cooperation between political leaders. However, as emancipation approached, the political framework became more defined, resulting in intensified struggles for local power. Two opposing groups emerged, influenced by both the main city in the region and the state government.

Keywords:
Regional history; political elites; coronelism