The
Malê Revolt (also known as
The Great Revolt) is perhaps the most significant
slave rebellion in
Brazil. On a Sunday during
Ramadan in January 1835, in the city of
Salvador da Bahia, a small group of black slaves and freedmen, inspired by
Muslim teachers, rose up against the government. Muslims were called
malê in
Bahia at this time, from
Yoruba imale that designated a
Yoruba Muslim.