“The citizen has no guarantee but only in their own strength” - Recruitment, private Militias, gangs of 'cabras' and the private property (Cariri Cearense , 19th century)

Abstract

This article aims to analyze in the Brazilian state-building process in the mid- nineteenth century, the recruitment for the National Guard and the formation of private militias in the national hinterland, especially in the so-called north provinces. The analysis turns to the militias that emerged from the established relationships between the lords households and residents, but also, in the midst of this process, the formation of groups unrelated to the lords, that became known as 'gang of cabras'.

Keywords

• Brazilian state
• Recruitment
• 19th Century