CANUDOS

Rough picture of Antonio Conselheiro.

I always try to find a parallel in American or European history when dealing with events in Brazil. It is hard to find am episode like that of Canudos. Massada? The Alamo? Jericho? Waco? None of these fit. This was a peaceful village of humble, poor villagers whose downfall became a national issue. Conquering Canudos became a matter of national importance, upon which the very existence of the Republic depended. It was also portrayed as amatter of old vs new, of the modern world against the dark ages. It was an odd secession of events that led up to a battle pitting most of Brazil’s army against an untrained, ill-equipped group of settlers.

Origins of the Conflict - Religion and State

In 1889 Brazil sent ts good monarch, Dom Pedro II, into exile and established a not-so-good republic. Most people were happy, but not Antonio Conselheiro, a wondering preacher in Northeastern Brazil. For over 2 decades, the Holy man had gone from city to city, preaching a socialistic form of Christianity in the backlands. In 1894 he took over an abandoned farm, establishing a settlement that became known as Canudos. Soon people from all over the region were leaving their homes and moving to the new city, attracted by the Counselor’s message of peace and salvation. Eventually over 20,000 people moved to the new city.

A drawing of Canudos. Notice the main church and how close the building are to each other.

There are two views on Canudos: 1) It was a socialistic paradise one earth where the people lived in peace and harmony with nature; and 2) It was a city of religious fanatics attempting to overthrow the established order. The Counselor appeared to be a simple man - caring for neither money or women. His power derived from the number of followers, who joined him seeking a better life. As families moved to Canudos, it became the second largest city in Bahia. Trouble started over a shipment of building materials that was paid for and not delivered, according to the Counselor, or not paid for and taken, according to local authorities.

Anyway, soldiers were sent to either repossess the materials, get payment or punish the Counselor’s band. This was the first of 4 or 5 expeditions sent against Canudos by authorities.

Another view of the village, from a woodcut.

Expeditions sent to conquer Canudos:

First Expedition: Oct/96, 100 soldiers sent Oct/96 , met by 1000 sertanejos from Canudos carrying a giant wooden cross. In a battle on the road to Canudos. a dozen soldiers died before they retreated.
Second Expedition: Jan/97, 500 state and federal troops, commanded by De Brito were sent to punish the humiliating defeat suffered 3 months earlier. As they approached Canudos, the defenders implemented a scorched earth policy, burning and removing anything that would aid the invaders. The Counselor’s troops used guerilla tatics to repulse the government troops and they were forced to fall back to costal areas.
Third Expedition: Feb/97, almost 1500 soldiers, cannon and cavalry under the command of Moreira Cesar, a soldier known for his cruelty. The soldiers and their Krupp cannons arrived at Canudos and began bombarding the settlement, blowing holes in the adobe walls and causing turmoil in the densely packed houses within the town. When the smoke cleared, the soldiers rushed in to finish the job. Big mistake!! In the winding narrow streets, the attackers became lost and confused. The yells of the defenders and the screams of soldiers being attached by men, women and children at every corner caused the army to panic. The military withdrew, more of a mob than an army. As night fell, theSertanejos attached the army, cutting off stagglers and small groups. More panic. Men deserted and battalions ran, leaving equipment and wounded behind. About half the men sent against Canudos did not make it back. The whole nation was in an uproar. In the big cities, newpapers clamored that the Counselor and his followers be punished How dare the poor, uneducated,little brown men do that to the soldiers of the federal government. .
Fourth, July/97. This time the government got serious. No more laughing at the Sertanejo's fighting abilities. Almost 10 thousand soldiers fought a three month battle with rebel forces, now well armed. As the army moved closed to Canudos, they were constantly engaged by the sertanejos. No mercy was asked or given on either side. Government soldiers, as they approached Canudos, found themselves marching on a road lined on either side with hundreds of severed heads donated by soldiers from previous expeditions. In early October, the final battle began. By October 6 it was over and 20 - 30 thousand people were dead. Any rebel men found alive had their throats cut. Only 150 women and children were said to have survived. The city and its 5000 houses was burned and leveled.

Bad picture of the Main Church in center of Town.

Aftermath - a needless tragedy?

Strangely, the Conselor missed the final battle. He died peacefully (?) in mid September, probably of old age and its consequences. It took a few days for his followers to bury the old guy, because they thought he might rise on the third day and save them. When the smell became too much they planted Antonio six feet under and prepared to face the final assalt.

What a tragedy! What a waste of human life! Had the government not done anything a year earlier, the settlement would have surely disintegrated without the unifying influence of the Holy Man. Anyway, to be sure, the army dug the old gentleman up, and borrowed his head which was put on display. So ended the sad, bloody story of Canudos.

The body of the holy man, dug up and photographed.

Postscript.

After the battle, bones and bodies covered the country side. Even a decade later, any rain would uncover more bodies. A few decades later the government built a dam and the site of Canudos dissappeared under the waters. This year with the long drought, the site is finally visible again. The foundations and steps of the main church are about all that is left of the city that once was Canudos.