Têxteis, tabaco e cativos: mapeando a circulação de tecidos no comércio escravista do Atlântico Sul

Abstract

Since the beginning of the Atlantic slavery process, fabrics were used in exchange by men, being considered by many historians as the main manufacture traded across the Atlantic. On the African continent, textiles were in high demand and could be used in different ways: as clothing, currency, in religious ceremonies and for other purposes. It is with this importance in mind that the present research begins, which aims to map the items transacted in Luanda and Costa da Mina, included in the Transatlantic Slave Traffic, during the 18th century. Furthermore, the work intends to contribute to the historiographical debate on the importance of fabrics and other goods in the slave trade in Costa da Mina. A central basis of discussion is based on the identification of the role that the markets played in the markets of Atlantic Africa. The methodological procedure is carried out with the transcription of a bill of lading for the vessel Nossa Senhora de Nazaré, Santo Antônio e Almas, from 1768-9, which makes it possible to trace a series of important stages of the transatlantic traffic. The said corvette departs Bahia towards Costa da Mina, passing through the island of São Tomé, carrying out a purchase of captives. Then it crosses the Atlantic towards Rio de Janeiro, where the captives are sold and, finally, return to Bahia. level of importance of tobacco in the Costa da Mina business.