I am not sure this is a myth, and again, many women have been heroes........heroines...............and many of them are not white....im 10 years in the future now, i truncated this.....as i have done in other places, it is aug of 2025 now..

 

The Myth of Xica da Silva

Xica da Silva, or as some claim, correctly spelled Chica da Silva, was the mulata daughter of Maria da Costa, a black slave, and a Portuguese man, António Caetano de Sá.  She was born between 1731 and 1735 in the diamond mining region of Tejuco, Brazil.  In the 1750s, she ended up as a slave in the household of João Fernandes de Oliveira, the head of a diamond mining estate.  It is said that although he was engaged, he was so enamored with Xica that he renounced his engagement to another woman and actually married Xica.  This is significant because he publicly and officially acknowledged their relationship, instead of just taking her as a concubine.  Between 1755 and 1770 they had 13 children.  The story becomes mixed up with possibly mythical elements here; it is said that because she wasn't allowed to enter the normal church, Joao built her a private cathedral to worship in.  Whether anecdotes such as the previous one hold any truth, today in Brazil the myth of Xica da Silva permeates many aspects of the culture; she has grown into a hero (for many causes) as a slave that used her sexual charm, good looks, and personal fortitude to climb the ranks of rich society.

            Some claim her story represents the beginning of the racial democratization of Brazil.  Certain groups such as feminists and tradtionally oppressed minorities, view her as a hero for their cause.  How the myth of Xica da Silva is invoked in certain contexts will be examined below, but first we will look at distinct manifestations of it in Brazilian contemporary culture.

Xica on the Big Screen

In 1976, Carlos Diegues made a film, "Xica da Silva", based on her life as a slave but set in the mid-19^th century. Although referring to a serious era and situation, the movie is a comedy of sorts:

"... a carnivalesque romp and satirical commentary on slavery in Latin American that mocks Brazil's image as a utopian melting pot"

*for more information on the director or film here are two links:

< http://instruct1.cit.cornell.edu/courses/spanl390/xica.htm>

< http://www.mixer.com.br/cacadiegues/framefilmes.htm>

The exaggerated and almost surreal images from the film are indeed "carnivalesque", mirroring the themes of sexual freedom and social excess that commonly accompany the myth of Xica da Silva.  Diegues had practically no sources to work with; and took free reign to produce a film that touches on themes of gender, race, and pre and post-colonial politics.

     

Here is how the film utilizes and tweaks the myth of Xica da Silva:

Carlos Diegues' comedy concerns Xica (Zeze Motta), a beautiful black slave who uses her sexual charm and savvy to benefit from Brazil's economic emergence. The film is set in the 18th century, when the fantastic wealth produced from the diamond trade transformed Brazil into a decadent hothouse. Xica ascends to the role of unofficial Empress, gleefully mocking her former masters while stockpiling newly found assets and power. 

Xica on TV

1996 saw the premiere of a soap opera or telenovela called Xica da Silva.  These soap operas are the highest rated shows on television in Brazil and command the primetime spots.  As can be imagined, they are ubiquitous in Brazilian popular culture:

"The increase in the number of Brazilian novelas from the early 1970s on brought a renewed concern on the part of novela writers and producers to create a national interpretation of the genre.  Brazilian novelas began to comment on contemporary social and political issues, and distinguish themselves from their Latin American and U.S. counterparts.  By the early 1980s, the genre had became Brazilian(ized), however ambiguous this term can be, showing itself capable of changing and adapting itself in myriad styles in order to find new viewers and new markets".  For an extensive evaluation of the history and effects of these telenovelas visit: <http://lass.calumet.purdue.edu/cca/gmj/SubmittedDocuments/archivedpapers/Spring2003/rego.htm>

*Tip:  If you find yourself traveling to Brazil and fear that you might be impeded from meeting people from such a distinct culture, brush up on your "Xica" savvy; a good way to start a conversation with most anyone is to chat about the latest scandal on the infamous telenovela.  A link to a forum site about the show is found below.

H