Afonso Ribeiro

Afonso Ribeiro was the first exiler in Brazil, namely known referred to the map by Pero Vaz de Caminha of 1500.

Biography

It is recorded in Caminha's map that, upon return to the voyages to the Indies (after touching the Brazilian lands), Pedro Álvares Cabral left two exilers on the land, one was Afonso Ribeiro and the other may be João de Thomar, but the actual person is unknown, to walk with the Indians and understand their lives and their manners.^[1]

Afonso was condemned for deportation for "guilty of death", that is, accusing that he committed an assassination. He was raised by João de Telo and was about to marry Elena Gonçalves, who was illusioned by the way of the fiancée, made a religious vow.

He was registered by Valentim Fernandes, a royal notary, the two exilers stayed for 20 months on that line, upon returning, told of on turn that they lived with the Indians. Its probability that therefore here was rescued during the expedition of Gonçalo Coelho in 1501 and 1502. It is also stated, not long after Cabral's return, Afonso Ribeiro, at the height of his despair took possession of a pirogue and he adventured out into sea and tried to reach the fleet with men who had left him, later on paddling for some time, he became exhausted, only sails of the vessels already at high sea. He would not been satisfied, certain that he would not reach the ships.

He probably headed to Cape Verde around 1503 or 1504 and probably later became captain of Cape Verde's Alcatrazes which may refer to Maio. He could be the second captain before João de Santarém, he left the post before 1508 and was later taken by Rodrigo Varela who was the last captain of Alcatrazes.

See also

• Pero Vaz de Caminha

References

Bibliography

• Vainfas, Ronaldo (head). Dicionário do Brasil Colonial: 1500 - 1808. (Dictionary of Colonial Brazil: 1500-1808) Rio de Janeiro: Objetiva, 2000