JOÃO CÂNDIDO, MESTRE SALA¹DOS MARES: THE LABOR AND EVERYDAY LIFE OF BELLE ÉPOQUE SAILORS

Abstract

In the light of historiographical analyses, this paper discusses the spectacular life of João Cândido Felisberto, a black man born in the post-emancipation period, son of former slaves, and leader of one of the greatest sailor revolts in world history, possibly akin only to the 1905 struggle aboard the Russian battleship Potemkin. We went through multiple sources in order to analyze Cândido’s origins, experiences and learnings in barracks and battleships, his national and international trips, and his adventures across different Brazilian borders and cities. Guided by a recent young Republican constitution, the early governors and congresses saw the explosion of social and political movements, feared all over the nation. João Cândido was familiar with most of them, and his name appeared in the front page of the most prominent Brazilian and international newspapers when he led hundreds of black sailors in a protest against the physical punishments and terrible work conditions in the Brazilian Navy.

Keywords:
João Cândido - navy - maritime life - post-emancipation period - biography