Militiamen, barbers and slave-traders: Mina and Jeje Africans in a catholic brotherhood (Bahia, 1770-1830)

Los milicianos, barberos y traficantes en una hermandad católica de africanos minas y jejes (Bahia, 1770-1830)

Militants, barbiers et trafiquants dans une fraternité catholique d'Africains 'minas' et 'jejes' (Bahia, 1770-1830)

Abstract

This article presents the profile of a group of Africans who belonged to the brotherhood Bom Jesus das Necessidades e Redenção, housed in the chapel of Corpo Santo, in Salvador, between the last quarter of the 18^th century and the early 19th century. On the basis of a series of biographical sketches, the paper investigates the ethnic, familial, affective, professional and commercial bonds Africans maintained amongst themselves, and discusses what this sociability reveals about the role of the brotherhood as an institution.

freed Africans; Bahia; catholic brotherhood; Jeje; slave trade