In 1694, soldiers caught and tortured an aide, who led them to the leader's hideout. Zumbi fled but was caught and killed on Nov. 20, 1695. His head was cut off and taken to the provincial capital of Recife. Rio de Janeiro observed the tri-centennial of Zumbi's death as a municipal holiday, and President Fernando Henrique Cardoso praised his memory in a speech. Brazilian politicians were sharply critical when Pele, the black soccer star who is now the government's sports minister, recently said blacks should vote for blacks as a way to improve their lot.
Many activists are pessimistic.
Racial equality will take time and huge investments in education, housing and health that Brazil simply cannot afford now, said historian de Araujo. But we blacks never give up hope.