Monday, January 23, 2017

The Story of Anastacia Escrava






Anastacia Escrava



The Story of Anastacia Escrava


As the story is told Anstacia was born to Delminda from the Bantu tribe in Southern Nigeria and Cameroon. Delminda was royal blood from the Galanga family and she was brought to Brazil in 1740 as a slave.
Delminda was sold by Antonio Rodrigues Velho, previously raped by a European man and pregnant at the time she was sold to Joaquina Pompeu. 


In March of 1740, she gave birth to Anastacia, who was born with blue eyes, a rarity in Brazil for a black child. Anastacia grew up to be a very beautiful woman and Joaquin Antonio, the owner’s son became obsessed with her. Anastacia fought against Joaquin’s advances toward her and the women jealous of her beauty suggested that he make her wear a metal mask. This did not keep Antonio from raping Anastacia and as punishment for her refusal of his advances Antonio made her wear the mask. Anastacia wore this mask for the remainder of her life only removing it once a day to eat. As a result of the continuous wear of the mask for years, Anastacia developed a toxicity to the metal and succumb to tetanus. 

The story of Anastacia Escrava is considered to be the most important story told in Rio de Janeiro of a woman in black history.

It is said toward the end of her life Anastacia had the gift of healing. She forgave the mistreatment she suffered at the hands of her owner and his mistress, healing his son.



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