It took a videogame for me to learn about Dandara. That wouldn’t change the fact that she was a real person who fought against real injustice. It’s possible the tales of her deeds have been stretched over the years, but that wouldn’t diminish her power or her significance. Dandara is a legendary figure in Brazil, with the inspirational legacy of a Greek hero and a real-life relevance magnified by the still-tangible remnants of slavery and colonialism. Dandara was real, and really amazing, and until this game I had never heard of her.

In 1694, after being arrested, she took her own life to avoid being returned to slavery.

Together with their children they lived in Quilombo dos Palmares, a refugee settlement for escaped and freed Afro-Brazilian slaves, and waged a defensive battle of survival against Dutch invaders and others who wanted to conquer Palmares and subjugate its people. In the 1600s she fought to end slavery in what is today Brazil, alongside her husband, Zumbi dos Palmares.

Dandara battle download