O Diretório em Pernambuco no Século XIX: instrumento de “pacificação” dos “índios brabos” no submédio São Francisco

Abstract

This article discusses the application of Pernambuco Indians of the Directory for indigenous peoples in the region of the Submédio São Francisco and Moxotó and Pajeú rivers. These spaces occurred contacts, conflicts and alliances between indigenous peoples and farmers who settled their farms and villages in the Hinterland of Pernambuco. For the insertion of the northeastern hinterlands of colonization logic, the collaboration of indigenous peoples was essential. In the second half of the eighteenth century, the Pombalino Directory guided the indigenous policy of the Portuguese Crown aimed at transforming settled Indians and non-villagers - called in colonial documents with the nickname of "barbarians" – in vassals. In the early nineteenth century, there were the administrative documents of the Captaincy of Pernambuco Government to continue to enforce Directory as the official Indian policy for civilization of indigenous peoples not settled, in areas near to the Moxotó, Pajeú and San Francisco rivers. During this period the relationship between indigenous and farmers was marked by conflicts, alliances and negotiations moved by control of two natural resources: land and water. And also the resistance of indigenous peoples through their territories.