Palmares’s political legitimacy rested on Central African notions of authority

Evidence

Zambi (Zumbi), according to Ramos, “was already a well-known chief, whose deeds amazed even the white soldiery.” He would apparently reign as king in New Palmares until its end almost two decades later. But in his accession to authority, it is possible to recognize what Ramos and others have described as “the Bantu origins” of Palmares. The perception of authentic authority as identical with secured social integrity was characteristically Central African. — Cedric J. Robinson, Black Marxism_ The Making of the Black…, 666

Categorization

• DEFINE: Defines the Central African principle that authentic authority equals secured social integrity, grounding Palmares’s governance in African political philosophy.