Hans Staden and his True History. Captivity, Cannibalism and “Conversion”: from Harquebusier to Prophet

Abstract

This article addresses a fundamental text in the history of the Discovery of Brazil, the earliest account of the Tupí Indians: Warhaftige historia und beschreibung eyner landtschafft der Wilnen Nacketen Grimmigen Menschfresser Leuthen Newenwelt America…(True History and Description of a Country of Naked Savages, Ferocious and Cannibals set in the New World America), by Hans Staden (1557). In order to propose a contemporary Reading of the text and the engravings of this story, this paper analyze the rol of ritual, corporality and God in this first story of captivity in Brazil. Mercenary, harquebusier, captive, prophet. The experience lived among the Tupí Indians not only offers him an anecdote to tell about theses devourers, it not only allows him to discover the ritual in its war-cultural meaning, but it also offers itself as an instance of self-discovery. Staden finds God and his divine force operating on his people (that is, on him) and preventing his death for almost ten months. Cannibalism results an experience that means both who practice it and those, like this German captive, who observe it, who witness it and who almost suffer it.