Cangaceiro

Hey guys!!

I decided to draw my maned wolf Raoni again, you remember him? https://i.imgur.com/yCHyiEG.jpg

He’s dressed as a cangaceiro, as a little tribute to one of my all time favourite historical events: a movement called Cangaço, which happened in the northeast of Brazil during the 1840-1940’s. 

Cangaceiros were a group of “social bandits” who fought against the government. Both men and women roamed the caatingas (hinterlands?) in nomadic groups, carrying heavy guns and heavily ornamented hats and clothes, seeking their own justice, fame, freedom, money and revenge, refusing to become another victim of the aridness, poverty and heavy abuse from authority. 

Some helped the poor, some killed just for the sake of power and revenge. They were literal desert pirates, and they were nearly unstoppable. A special police force was created only in order to hunt them down, called the “Volantes”, who were always on their tail, and extremely bloody conflicts always followed their encounters in the wilderness. 

The most famous cangaceiro of all was Lampião (meaning “Oil Lamp”, because, according to local tales, he shot so quickly he could illuminate the night). He and his wife Maria Bonita ("Pretty Maria") were the head of the groups during their final years, turned into a popular myth. Some claim they were bandits, and some, that they were heroes. 

Their tales intrigued me since I was a child, and now, they’ve been inspiring many aspects of my stories (including No North). 

If you’d like to see more about this, here’s something to give you a little taste! https://youtu.be/L1ly3_xP390?t=54s

Watch the first 5 minutes to see that classic encounter between the cangaceiros and the volantes. 

Lampião is their leader, the one with one eye and round glasses, a very iconic look. Maria Bonita is always by his side.

Anyway, I really hope you guys enjoy this! 

I’m sorry for all the babbling, it’s just something I’ve always wanted to talk about and draw :)