Died: 1938 (Vila Bela, State of Sergipe, Brazil)
Biography:
Maria Bonita, born as Maria Déia and also known as Maria Alia da Silva or Maria Gomes de Oliveira, was a prominent figure in Brazilian history and a member of a notorious Cangaço band. She earned the nickname Maria Bonita, meaning Beautiful Maria, and has since become a revered folk heroine in Brazil.
Born and raised in the Jeremoabo area of the State of Bahia, Maria Bonita lived during a time of great social upheaval in Brazil. She became intimately associated with the bandit leader, Virgulino Ferreira da Silva, better known as Lampião, who would later become her romantic partner. Lampião’s father was killed in a confrontation with the police in 1919, which prompted Lampião to seek vengeance. As a result, he became an outlaw and was relentlessly pursued by the police, whom he derogatorily called macacos or monkeys.
Maria Bonita joined Lampião and his band of outlaws in 1930 when she was just in her early twenties. Like other women in the band, Maria Bonita adopted the attire of the cangaceiros and actively participated in their criminal activities. The cangaceiros were notorious for their raids on small towns and farms in seven Brazilian states. The group was known for engaging in battles with paramilitary police, committing acts of violence, extortion, kidnapping hostages for ransom, torture, maiming, and rape. Maria Bonita, along with her fellow cangaceiras, proved themselves to be as brave and formidable as their male counterparts. The women were equally well-armed and proficient in the use of weapons, and often faced off against the military police in battle.
Maria Bonita’s involvement with the cangaceiros proved to be a fateful one. During a shootout with the police, she and a fellow female bandit were tragically killed. Another cangaceira named Dadá was wounded in a later battle and ultimately had to have her leg amputated. Maria Bonita’s daughter, Expedita, was born in 1932 and raised within the cangaceiro lifestyle. Lampião often personally attended the births of children within the band, and they were either fostered out to settled relatives or left under the care of friends of the cangaceiros.
Although Maria Bonita’s life was cut short, her legacy as a brave and determined woman who defied societal expectations endures. Her role in the cangaceiros and her unwavering loyalty to Lampião made her an iconic figure, inspiring future generations in Brazil. Maria Bonita’s story exemplifies the strength and resilience of women throughout history and serves as a testament to the enduring power of female figures in shaping society.