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João Ramalho | |
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 Fancy portrait byJosé Wasth Rodrigues, 1934 | |
| Born | 1493 (1493) Vouzela, Portugal |
| Died | 1582 (aged 88–89) São Paulo, Brazil |
| Occupation | Explorer |
| Spouse(s) | Catarina Fernandes Bartira and other daughters of native chiefs |
João Ramalho (Portuguese pronunciation:[ʒuˈɐ̃wʁɐˈmaʎu]) (1493–1582) was a Portuguese explorer and adventurer known as the firstbandeirante. He lived much of his life amongTupiniquim natives inBrazil after he arrived there around 1510. He even became the leader of an Indian village after he developed a friendship withTibiriçá, an important native chief at the time.[1] Ramalho played an important role in the peaceful interaction between the Portuguese and the natives, especially after the arrival ofMartim Afonso de Sousa, with whom he became friends after meeting him inSão Vicente, the first Portuguese settlement in the Americas.[1] Some historians agree that his ancestors were Jews fromCovilhã.[2]
He lived in the village ofSanto André da Borda do Campo, which in 1553 was made a town byTomé de Sousa, then Governor General of Brazil. Ramalho exercised the posts ofalderman andalcalde (mayor) in the town.[citation needed]
Ramalho is said to have originated the firstmamelucos (people of mixed Portuguese and native ancestry), an ethnicity that played an important role in the 17th-centurybandeiras (westward inland expeditions carried out by explorers known asbandeirantes).[3] For that reason, he is often called the "Patriarch of the Bandeirantes".[4]
In historical records, Ramalho is described as an athletic man with a long beard and a brown skin originating fromsunburn. According to some sources, his original name was João Maldonado.[3]
In 1580, Ramalho fell ill and, on 3 May of that year, wrote his will. He died in 1582 in an unknown location in the jungle.[4]
The municipality ofJoão Ramalho, in São Paulo, is named after him.
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