Helvécia
A Swiss Colonial History in Brazil
Helvécia, a predominantly Afro-Brazilian community in the southern part of Bahia, Brazil, traces its origins to a coffee plantation founded in 1818 by Swiss and German settlers. The wealth generated from its vast estates relied on the forced labor of enslaved people of African descent: in the mid-19th century, for every 200 white settlers, there were roughly 2,000 enslaved individuals.
In collaboration with the inhabitants and with great sensitivity, Swiss-Brazilian photographer Dom Smaz explored Helvécia, seeking traces of its complex past. His compelling images capture the vitality of the village and the daily life of its residents, while accompanying essays provide historical context. Together, the photographs and texts in this book invite a postcolonial reflection on the global interdependencies and power structures that shaped the region, and continue to influence contemporary European prosperity.
Helvécia, a predominantly Afro-Brazilian community in the southern part of Bahia, Brazil, traces its origins to a coffee plantation founded in 1818 by Swiss and German settlers. The wealth generated from its vast estates relied on the forced labor of enslaved people of African descent: in the mid-19th century, for every 200 white settlers, there were roughly 2,000 enslaved individuals.
In collaboration with the inhabitants and with great sensitivity, Swiss-Brazilian photographer Dom Smaz explored Helvécia, seeking traces of its complex past. His compelling images capture the vitality of the village and the daily life of its residents, while accompanying essays provide historical context. Together, the photographs and texts in this book invite a postcolonial reflection on the global interdependencies and power structures that shaped the region, and continue to influence contemporary European prosperity.
