Os escravos

work by Castro Alves

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June 11, 2026

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Os escravos is a collection of abolitionist poems by the Brazilian Romantic poet Antônio de Castro Alves. Published posthumously in 1883, the work is a powerful denunciation of slavery in Brazil. Castro Alves, known as the "poet of the slaves," used his writing to advocate for the abolitionist cause, a significant movement in 19th-century Brazil.12

One notable poem within the collection is A cachoeira de Paulo Afonso, which recounts the tragic story of a slave girl. Castro Alves's poetry, characterized by its elevated style and dedication to social justice, placed him among the prominent poets of the Condoreira school. His passionate verses contributed significantly to the literary and political discourse surrounding slavery in Brazil.1

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Antônio de Castro Alves
…Falls”), a fragment of Os escravos, tells the story of a slave girl who is raped by her master’s son. This and Castro Alves’ other abolitionist poems were collected in a posthumous book, Os escravos (1883; “The Slaves”).
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…Falls”), a fragment of Os escravos, tells the story of a slave girl who is raped by her master’s son. This and Castro Alves’ other abolitionist poems were collected in a posthumous book, Os escravos (1883; “The Slaves”).
Read More