Agridoce

© Sabine van Wechem - Image from the Agridoce photography project © Sabine van Wechem - Image from the Agridoce photography project © Sabine van Wechem - Image from the Agridoce photography project View all images ↓
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  • Dates
    2024 - Ongoing
  • Author
  • Locations Brazil, State of Paraíba, State of Pernambuco, State of Alagoas
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Agridoce (bittersweet) is an ongoing visual research project in the northeast of Brazil and retraces the footsteps of the Dutch in Brazil. The Netherlands temporarily colonized a large part of Brazil (1630-1654).

The Dutch were interested in Brazil because of the sugar production, which took place mainly in the state of Pernambuco. The prolonged wars between the Netherlands and Portugal over land ownership had a devastating impact, leading to the destruction of many plantations. To rebuild these plantations, the Dutch resorted to the trade in enslaved people. The foundation for the expansion of Dutch slavery was established here. Johan Maurits van Nassau played a significant role in this as governor of Dutch Brazil.

What struck me most is that everyone seemed to know that the Dutch were in control for this period of time. People can for example name Johan Maurits of Nassau, in the capital Recife, as well in a small town such as Penedo, where they’ve even erected a statue of him. This Dutch past is also still present among the indigenous Potiguara community. 

This awareness of Dutch colonialism starkly contrasts to what we know about this in the Netherlands, which is very little. It is an almost unknown and surprising topic to most people. In addition, many Brazilians think it would have been better if the Dutch had stayed instead of the Portuguese. They often cite the example of the Dutch being better at infrastructure.

With this work, I shed a light on an often overlooked part of the Netherlands' colonial past, aiming to connect the past with the present, while focusing on people and their daily lives now, where themes such as identity, resilience and freedom play a role.

© Sabine van Wechem - Image from the Agridoce photography project
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Olinda the town was burned down by the Dutch in 1631 because they wanted to defeat the Portuguese colonists in the war. In Olinda, the Portuguese colonial era is still visible and there is a myth that the house where Nassau lived still stands here. It is the red house on the left.

© Sabine van Wechem - Image from the Agridoce photography project
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In municipality Vitoria de Santo Antão, the Battle of Montes das Tabocas took place, marking the beginning of the war by the Portuguese to expel the Dutch. There is a myth in which the Virgin Mary here gave weapons to the Portuguese and indigenous groups to defeat the Dutch.

© Sabine van Wechem - Image from the Agridoce photography project
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Penedo, located on the São Francisco River, was conquered in 1637 by Governor Johan Maurits of Nassau. Penedo's location was highly strategic, as it allowed for protection of the southern border of Dutch Brazil. Therefore, Maurits decided to build Fort Maurits on the highest point of the rock overlooking the river. The fort was later destroyed. Today, there is a museum about this history.

© Sabine van Wechem - Image from the Agridoce photography project
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Thunderstorm is coming in downtown Tacaratu. The Pankararu community lives nearby this little town in the sertão of Pernambuco. The people at the town and of the community are close connected and live side by side.

© Sabine van Wechem - Image from the Agridoce photography project
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Despite the pressure from the Portuguese and Dutch colonists, the Pankararu community have been able to maintain their strong indigenous cultural identity. Nowadays they still fight for their land and identity. In this image Maria, who is living in the community, sits on a cashew tree in her garden.

© Sabine van Wechem - The son of Maria is having a refreshment in their own build water barrel in the garden, part of the Pankararu community.
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The son of Maria is having a refreshment in their own build water barrel in the garden, part of the Pankararu community.

© Sabine van Wechem - Image from the Agridoce photography project
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The Potiguara community is an indigenous community that suffered greatly during the war between the Dutch and the Portuguese colonialists. Nowadays, the community makes great efforts to restore their traditional values in the state of Paraíba.

© Sabine van Wechem - Image from the Agridoce photography project
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A professor is giving Tupi language classes to the children in the community. The girl on the left participated. Tupi is one of the original Brazilian languages.

© Sabine van Wechem - This horse has his own house and garden in downtown Tacaratu.
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This horse has his own house and garden in downtown Tacaratu.

© Sabine van Wechem - A little shop in Tacaratu where they sell almost everything.
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A little shop in Tacaratu where they sell almost everything.

© Sabine van Wechem - Downtown Tacaratu the boys are playing pool.
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Downtown Tacaratu the boys are playing pool.

© Sabine van Wechem - Image from the Agridoce photography project
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The Dutch intended to gain control over the trade in enslaved people and the sugar production in Brazil. The reason for this was because it was one of the few major market exporters of sugar to Europe at the time, under Portuguese control. Nowadays, the people who work on the plantations have few opportunities and work under harsh conditions.

© Sabine van Wechem - Image from the Agridoce photography project
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A quilombo is a term used in Brazil to refer to a community of escaped enslaved people during the colonial period. Today, different family generations live in this quilombo in the state Alagoas. The residents try to make a living, but they are hindered by the government as they only want to make money out of this land, holding the residents in a stranglehold with electricity costs.

© Sabine van Wechem - At quilombo Pixaim.
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At quilombo Pixaim.

© Sabine van Wechem - Portrait of Jose, he is born in quilombo Pixaim.
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Portrait of Jose, he is born in quilombo Pixaim.

© Sabine van Wechem - Jose is trying to make a living out of fishing.
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Jose is trying to make a living out of fishing.

© Sabine van Wechem - At quilombo Pixaim.
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At quilombo Pixaim.

© Sabine van Wechem - Image from the Agridoce photography project
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The place Itamaracá, the town housing Fort Orange, was of strategic importance. From the fort, all ships sailing towards the island could be taken under fire. Nowadays it is a tourist place with a lot of restaurants.

© Sabine van Wechem - At Fort Orange there are a lot of schools visiting. And the kids are also playing football on the beach.
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At Fort Orange there are a lot of schools visiting. And the kids are also playing football on the beach.

© Sabine van Wechem - Image from the Agridoce photography project
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A local fair in Penedo, close to the São Francisco river. In the past this river and town were important during the Dutch colonial period in Brazil.