Decadence as narrative

The Arraial das Antas, through the narratives of travelers, during the 19th century

Abstract

This article investigates the narrative of decadence present in European travelers' descriptions of Arraial das Antas, located in the province of Goiás, during the 19th century. Through the observations of naturalists such as Saint-Hilaire, Cunha Mattos, and Francis Castelnau, perceptions of backwardness and decadence associated with the region were perpetuated and widely incorporated into local historiography. These descriptions shaped a negative image of post-mining society, marked by the depletion of gold deposits and the transition to an agrarian economy. The narrative of decadence consolidated itself as a justification for the marginalization of the province and subsequently influenced political decisions such as the transfer of the capital of Goiás. Furthermore, the study traces the territorial occupation of Arraial das Antas, highlighting the relationship between the depletion of gold and the formation of agricultural communities. The article also analyzes the transportation difficulties and the isolation of the localities, factors that contributed to the construction of an image of backwardness. Although this narrative has been widely accepted, contemporary historians and a new interpretation of the historical record argue that Goiás society in the post-mining period was more dynamic than contemporary interpretations indicated.