Baptism, slavery and godparentship in the South of Mato Grosso (1836-1862)

ABSTRACT Throughout the 19th century, godparentship relations instituted by the Catholic Church and formalized through baptism strengthened the connection between individuals and families. Besides the relational meaning, the slaves of the Parish of Nossa Senhora da Conceição de Albuquerque used this sacrament strategically. According to the parish documents, baptism could be used to achieve goals that varied among slaves, and depended on the godparents they chose for their children. This paper discusses the relationships built or intensified by slaves in the Parish, which belonged to the province of Mato Grosso, in the Brazilian Empire, during a border dispute, in the period prior to its occupation by the troops of Solano Lopez, during the Paraguayan War against the Triple Alliance.