Rosa do O´Freire

Coming from the so-called “African Coast” and disembarking in Salvador “at a young age,” Rosa do O’Freire was enslaved and sold. As far as we know, she became a saleswoman in the city. Over time, she bought not only her own freedom, but also some enslaved people, who paid her a daily allowance. We learned from her 1863 will that Rosa owned properties and nine captives and that she granted freedom to two African enslaved women, provided they pay the necessary amount to her executor, burial and estate. Rosa represents a recurring example among many West Africans enslaved in Brazil who did not marry or have children, but formed kinship, protection and support networks in their communities.