Virgulino Ferreira da
Silva (Serra Talhada, June 4, 1898 - Poço Redondo, July 28, 1938) - King the ‘cangaço’
(of the highwaymen), known as ‘Lampião’ (fire lantern), and his wife ‘Maria
Bonita’ (Beautiful Maria) - (Paulo Afonso, March 8, 1911 - July 28, 1938)
formed the most attached and feared couple of the ‘Sertão’ (hinterland).
leia este artigo em Português
leia este artigo em Português
Lampião blends all the
qualities and defects of the heroic bandit and was once considered the
Brazilian Robin Hood by Time magazine in 1931, imbued with legend, of course.
Until the age of 21 he worked as a craftsman, was literate and wore reading
glasses, features quite unusual for the area and poor backwoods where he lived.
One of the versions about his nickname is that he modified a rifle, allowing
you to shoot faster, and the muzzle heated up so much that shone giving the
appearance of a lamp. We highlight the bravery and heroism and courage and
firmness Lampião Maria Bonita, even going through all kinds of difficulties,
and remained united with the hope of a quieter life, away from crime and away
from guns. although perverse, wanted to be seen as a good man. Lampião is known
as the Robin Hood of the Brazilian interior, who robbed farmers, politicians
colonels and colonels of the season to give to the poor, miserable, starving
and struggling to support families with many children.
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| Lampião Toy Art |
He was a devotee of
Padre Cicero and brought with him a rosary and a statue of Our Lady of
Conceição, respected their beliefs and advice. The two met only once, in 1926,
in Juazeiro.
In several cities they
invaded he went to church, and left rich donations, except for St. Benedict.
"Who ever heard of a black saint?" He said, demonstrating his racism.
Superstitious, walked with amulets scattered around the clothes. He was shoot
seven times and lost his right eye, but he believed that he had a closed body
(his body and soul was fully protected).
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| Maria Bonita Toy Art |
His girlfriend, and
Maria Gomes de Oliveira, known as and Maria Bonita, joined the band in 1930 ,
like other women in the group, she used to dress as a bandit and participated
in many of the actions of the gang. Virgulino and Maria Bonita had a daughter,
Expedita Ferreira, born in September 13, 1932. But at the same time that caused
fear in people, he was respected; he was a bandit, but was also an authority.
And that’s precisely how it was in people's memory: the figure of the warrior,
strategist, intelligent, loyal and honest. The band of Lampião was surrounded
and killed in Angicos, Sergipe, members of the gang were beheaded, their heads was
displayed as trophies on the staircase where today is located the City Hall of
Piranhas (AL).
