Candido da Fonseca Galvao (Sheets , 1845 – 1890) was a military officer in Brazil.
Candido da Fonseca Galvao was probably a son or grandson of African King Abiodun of Oyo Empire in the area now known as Nigeria. He was recognized as a foreign sovereign by the Brazilian monarchy, and was known as Dom Oba II d’Africa, or simply Dom Oba.
He exemplified the type of free men of African descent who lived in and contributed to Brazil, even in the era of slavery. A royal prince with bloodline from Africa; on a quest for adventure.
He voluntarily enlisted to fight in the War of Paraguay and due to his great bravery and outstanding martial skills he was awarded an honorary officer of the Brazilian army.
After the war, he settled in Rio de Janeiro, becoming a legendary figure of folkloric proportions. He was revered and adored as a royal prince by the millions of African Brazilians of his time. He was an inspiration, a leader and a father figure for those very African Brazilians in their struggle to live with dignity, to establish fairness in a prejudiced Brazil.
Dom Oba was a personal friend of the Emperor D. Pedro II whom he regularly visited in his court each year, and where he was received with all full honours due to a sovereign dignitary.
He was also a committed abolitionist and began a campaign to combat racism.
He was a monarchist in his political outlook. Thus, with the fall of the Empire in 1889 he fell out of favour with the republicans because of his monarchist sentiments. He died soon after in July 1890.
Jide Uwechia