BUSINESS AND PATRONAGE

THE SOCIAL CIRCLES OF THE SESMEIROS AND THEIR DESCENDANTS IN THE SERTÕES DE MOMBAÇA REGION (CAPTAINCY OF SIARÁ GRANDE, 18TH CENTURY)

Abstract

The aim of this article is to analyse the social circle of the sesmeiros and their descendants in the Sertões de Mombasa region of the Captaincy of Siará Grande, through relationships based on patronage and on the active and passive debts included in cases of post-mortem probate. It closely investigates what could have been the interests that led to the choices for godparents to their children, made by parents in the Sertões of Mombaça region, and whether such relationships, based on patronage, followed economic connections. The cases under investigation show that the idea behind this patronage was the formation of social and economic circles which would include family groups of equal or higher socioeconomic status. No case was found for example, where the social situation of the godfather or godmother was inferior to that of the parents of the baptised child.