10 statues of Zumbi dos Palmares to see – 10/12/2023 – Guia Negro

Zumbi dos Palmares was leader of the largest quilombo in the Americas: Palmares. He was at the forefront of the resistance and defended freedom for black people at an almost impossible time in Brazil. The date of his death, November 20, 1695, marks Black Consciousness Day, a day of struggle and celebration of the legacies of the African diaspora.

His existence and even his achievements are insistently denied. But his story persisted and today Zumbi is part of Brazil’s book of heroes. November 20th is also a public holiday in more than a thousand Brazilian cities, in addition to the state of Alagoas and from this year onwards in the state of São Paulo. A law was approved by Congress and the Senate to establish a national holiday on that date and is now awaiting the signature of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

November has passed, when the theme of blackness gains the spotlight and attention it deserves, and, while we wait for the new holiday, I invite you to discover 10 statues of Zumbi do Palmares spread across several Brazilian cities. It is possible to take a tour around the country, seeing the sculptures of our hero, as happens in South Africa with Nelson Mandela, leader of the movement against apartheid and former president of the country, which has different monuments spread across several South African cities.

Unlike Mandela, we do not have Zumbi statues over five meters tall or representative in size, as is the case with Borba Gato, a monument representing a pioneer in São Paulo, which measures 13 meters and was the target of fire protests. There are also several situations of abandonment, vandalism and graffiti. That’s why it’s so important to visit and record the sculptures.

Discover 10 monuments in Zumbi dos Palmares:

1 – São Paulo

Located in Praça Antônio Prado, in the old center, the sculpture was inaugurated in 2016. The bronze work was created by the artist José Maria Ferreira dos Santos and was installed in the place where the old Church of the Rosário dos Homem Pretos stood, where rites took place religious and cultural manifestations such as congadas.

2 – Recife

It is located in Praça do Carmo, in the Santo Antônio neighborhood, in the center of Recife, where the leader of Palmares had his head exposed after his death to prove that he was mortal – there was a legend that Zumbi was immortal. Traditional meeting point for social movements, the square received the statue in 2004.

3 – Salvador

At Praça da Sé, 115, in Pelourinho, the monument is 2.20 meters high and weighs 300 kilos. The 2008 sculpture is signed by artist Márcia Magno and represents the hero of Palmares as a warrior. The spear wielded by Zumbi in the representation was stolen in 2018 and replaced by a new one in 2019.

4 – Aracaju

On the Orla de Atalaia, in 2012 the space “Monumento aos Formadores de Nacionalidade” became part of the space, which already featured statues of figures such as Tiradentes, D. Pedro II, Getúlio Vargas, Juscelino Kubitschek, Barão do Rio Branco, Duque de Caxias, José Bonifácio and Princess Isabel. Made in bronze, the Zumbi sculpture measures 1.80 meters and was produced by sculptor Léo Santana.

5 – Brasilia

The bust is in front of Conic, in Setor de Diversão Sul, and was inaugurated on November 20, 1995, at the request of the Central Única dos Trabalhadores (CUT) of the Federal District in honor of the “300 years of immortality” of the leader of Quilombo dos Palmares. The bust spent time covered by plaques that were removed in 2015.

6 – Maceió

Located in the Historic Center of Maceió, Praça dos Palmares, named after the quilombo led by Zumbi, only received the statue of the leader in 2021, representing the hero breaking the shackles of a slave society. The sculpture is made in granite by artist Joseildo da Costa and donated by professor Edson Moreira.

7 – Rio de Janeiro

Located on Avenida Presidente Vargas, close to the Sambódromo, the monument was inaugurated in 1986. On the inauguration day, a big show took place in Praça XI with the presence of mothers-de-santo, afoxés and black dance groups. Since it was inaugurated, the monument has suffered graffiti that has been removed.

8 – Niterói (RJ)

The 2-meter-high bronze sculpture was installed in Gragoatá, close to the entrance to the Fluminense Federal University (UFF) campus. The work is by Niteroi sculptor, plastic artist and painter Rodrigo Pedrosa and was claimed by the Niterói Black Women’s Forum. The area has a great artistic concentration and busy nightlife.

9 – Bauru (SP)

The bust is located in Praça da África, between Avenida Nações Unidas and Rua Júlio Prestes, and was installed in 2019. Made of black onyx stone, it was created by the sculptor Claudiano Resende Mendonça from Minas Gerais. Since 2021, it has hosted washing and walking events against racism and for religious tolerance.

10 – Maringá (PR)

The bust is located in Praça Zumbi dos Palmares, in Jardim Santa Felicidade. The square was recognized by municipal law No. 4,044/96 as a physical, historical and representative heritage of the black community of Maringá. Even so, the Zumbi statue spent years without a plaque, while the square was abandoned and received several maintenance requests from residents.

There are also monuments to Zumbi in Santos (SP), at Avenida Afonso Pena, 173, Macuco; at the Afro Brasil Museum, in São Paulo; in Largo do Rosário, in Olinda; and União dos Palmares (AL).

Do you know others?

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