ENCYCLOPAEDIA of Rebellions

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Yon Gato uprising 1553

Synopsis
The Yon Gato uprising in 1553 is part of a set of rebellions in mid-16th-century São Tomé. In this case, motivations were of a political and racial nature. The uprising aimed to rebut the results of an arranged election of the municipality officers, namely for the aldermen and judges. Despite the legal possibility for mixed-raced individuals to be appointed for such offices, the Portuguese elite ensured that the municipality would continue within their hands. The revolt is named after its leader, João Rodrigues Gato (known as Yon Gato). Gato was a mixed-race blind planter who had been previously arrested for public disturbs, and later released upon the promise to keep the peace. On 27 December 1553, after realising that the municipal power would remain restricted to a minority, Gato led 700 men to stop the election from happening. This led to the imprisonment of Gato and two of his chief aides, Luis da Roma and Jorge da Costa. At the instance of the captain, the second attempt to proceed with the election was undertaken, only to be hindered by the invasion of the city chamber by an uncertain number of Gato’s followers. Despite the calm atmosphere during daytime, the night of 28 December saw armed protesters declaring their refusal to obey the municipal authorities. On the third day, the elections were finally held, even if some protesters were still rebelling together the fort where Gato remained imprisoned.
Additional info

Starting date: . Ending: . Duration: 3 days. Name in sources: Alevantamento de Yoam Roiz Gato. Location: São Tomé Country (current): S. Tome&Prin.. Monarchy: Portuguese. Main participants: Africans, Enslaved, Maroons. Number of participants: >500. Main reasons & motivations: Maroon resistance, Others, Political. Leadership: João Rodrigues Gato. Relevance: medium.

Further reading
GARFIELD, R. (1992). A History of São Tomé Island, 1470-1655. A Key to Guinea. San Francisco: Mellen Research University Press; RAMOS, R. (1986). “Rebelião e sociedade colonial: «alvoroços» e «levantamentos» em São Tomé (1545-1555)”, Revista Internacional de Estudos Africanos, 4-5: 17-74; SEIBERT, G. (2006). Comrades, Clients and Cousins: Colonialism, Socialism and Democratization in São Tomé and Príncipe. Leiden: Brill.
Cite this entry

(2023) "Yon Gato uprising 1553", in J. V. Serrão and M. S. Cunha (coord), Rebellions in the Early Modern Iberian World. (accessed on ).