Cattle in the Backlands: Mato Grosso and the Evolution of Ranching in the Brazilian Tropics

344 Pages·2017·41.663 MB·English

by  Robert W. Wilcox

Cattle in the Backlands
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[ ROBERT W. WILCOX ]
Cattle in the Backlands
MATO GROSSO AND THE EVOLUTION OF
RANCHING IN THE BRAZILIAN TROPICS
University of Texas Press AUSTIN
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Copyright © 2017 by the University of Texas Press
All rights reserved
Printed in the United States of America
First edition, 2017
Requests for permission to reproduce material from this work should be
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The paper used in this book meets the minimum requirements of
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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA
Names: Wilcox, Robert W., author.
Title: Cattle in the Backlands : Mato Grosso and the evolution of ranching in
the Brazilian tropics / Robert W. Wilcox.
Description: First edition. | Austin : University of Texas Press, 2017. |
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifi ers: LCCN 2016020979 | ISBN 978-1-4773-1114-1 (cloth : alk. paper) |
ISBN 978-1-4773-1174-5 (pbk. : alk. paper) | ISBN 978-1-4773-1115-8
(library e-book) | ISBN 978-1-4773-1116-5 (non-library e-book)
Subjects: LCSH: Ranching—Brazil—Mato Grosso (State)—History—
19th century.| Ranching—Brazil—Mato Grosso (State)—History—
20th century. | Cattle—Technological innovations—Brazil—Mato Grosso
(State)—History—19th century. | Cattle—Technological innovations—
Brazil—Mato Grosso (State)—History—20th century. | Beef cattle—
Environmental aspects—Brazil—Mato Grosso (State)—History. | Mato
Grosso (Brazil : State)—Economic conditions—19th century. | Mato
Grosso (Brazil : State)—Economic conditions—20th century.
Classifi cation: LCC SF196.B6 W55 2017 | DDC 636.2/01098172—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016020979
doi:10.7560/311141
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In memory of my parents, Roy and Lois, curious supporters of my
sometimes perplexing journeys into and across the American tropics.
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Contents
Selected Timeline for Cattle Ranching in Mato Grosso,
1580s–1980 ix
Maps xii
Preface and Acknowledgments xv
INTRODUCTION. The Paradox of Tropical Ranching 1
CHAPTER ONE. Mirror of the Land: Regional Geography and
Environmental Imperatives 14
CHAPTER TWO. Establishing Roots: The Ranching Economy to 1914 35
CHAPTER THREE. A Boom of Sorts: The Ranching Economy,
1914–1950 68
CHAPTER FOUR. Land Access: Opportunities and Obstacles 100
CHAPTER FIVE. Cowboys, Hands, and Native Peoples:
Labor Relations 137
CHAPTER SIX. The Dynamics of the Mundane: Everyday Ranching 163
CHAPTER SEVEN. National Breeds and Hindu Idols 199
CONCLUSION. Transformation and Continuity 223
Notes 237
Glossary 307
Index 313
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Selected Timeline for Cattle Ranching
in Mato Grosso, 1580s–1980
1580s Establishment of Spanish Jesuit missions in territory that would
become Mato Grosso; cattle reportedly part of the missions
1718 Discovery of gold and founding of Cuiabá
1729 First record of nonmission cattle in Mato Grosso
1750 Treaty of Madrid
1767 Expulsion of Jesuits from Spanish territories
1770s–1780s First fazendas reais (royal ranches) established; with inde-
pendence, became fazendas nacionaes
1778 Founding of Albuquerque (Corumbá) and a fort at Miranda
1822 Brazilian independence
1820s First reports of the existence of Jacobina ranch in the northern
Pantanal
1830s–1840s First ranching settlers in southern Mato Grosso, includ-
ing the Pantanal
1838 Founding of Paranaíba
1850s–1860s Military agricultural colonies established in various
locations
1850 National land law; revised in 1854; abolition of African slave
trade
1850s First reports of mal das cadeiras (surra) in Pantanal of Mato
Grosso; fi rst reported in Brazil in 1820s on Marajó Island
1857 Shipping by way of the Paraguay River opened to Brazilian
vessels
1858 First mention of export of Mato Grosso cattle to other states
(Rio de Janeiro)
1864–1870 Paraguayan War; extensive depopulation and dispersal of
people and cattle
1870s Beginnings of resettlement of the region by former settlers,
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