Creole Society and Forros in São Tomé and Príncipe

Origins of Creole Society

The Creole society in São Tomé and Príncipe began in the late 15th century when Portuguese colonizers came to the islands. The islands were discovered around 1470 and settled in 1493. The Portuguese brought African slaves from places like Benin, Congo, and Angola to work on sugar cane plantations. By the mid-16th century, São Tomé was known for producing sugar in Africa.

As the Portuguese settlers mixed with African slaves, a new society emerged. This Creole society developed its own languages, such as Forro Creole, Angolar Creole, and Principense Creole. These languages show influences from different African languages. The Creole culture also mixed European Catholic traditions with African customs, and it grew stronger due to the plantation economy that later included cocoa and coffee.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the Creole society became more influential as the Portuguese government was less involved. The Creole elites managed local economies and controlled resources. In the 19th century, with renewed Portuguese control and the introduction of labor contracts, the social structure within the Creole society changed and some groups became marginalized.

Origins of Forros

Forros are a subgroup within the Creole society, made up of descendants of freed African slaves. The word "Forro" comes from Portuguese, meaning "free." This reflects their status after being freed from slavery. The process of freeing slaves began early in colonial times. Laws allowed the children of mixed families and some male slaves to become free.Over the years, more slaves gained their freedom, leading to a growing Forro community. They became the largest group in the Creole society and spoke Forro Creole, a language based on Portuguese with influences from African languages. During the 17th and 18th centuries, Forros, especially the elite members, owned land and had power.However, there's some debate about who exactly the Forros are. While they are commonly seen as descendants of freed slaves, some sources suggest they also include descendants of the original mixed population who stayed on the islands. This shows that the identity of Forros can be complex and varies based on different viewpoints.

Differences Between Creole Society and Forros

The main difference between Creole society and Forros is in their scope:

Creole Society: This term covers the entire society that formed from the mixing of Portuguese colonizers and African slaves. It includes various groups such as Forros, Mestiços (people of mixed Portuguese and African ancestry), and Angolares (descendants of Angolan survivors of a shipwreck). The Creole society is known for its language diversity and cultural blend shaped by the plantation economy.

Forros: This is a specific group within Creole society, defined mainly as descendants of freed African slaves. They have their own cultural identity, speak Forro Creole, and prioritize small-scale farming. Forros held a middle position in the colonial society, viewed as more "civilized" by the Portuguese but still facing discrimination.