Pata Seca, also known as Roque José Florêncio, was a man who lived during the slavery era in Brazil.
He was born in Angola in 1828 and was brought to Brazil as a child. He was sold to the Viscount of Cunha Bueno, who gave him his name and surname.
Seca was a “breeding slave” who was forced to father more than 200 children with several women. He was a “strong and tall” enslaved man, over 7 feet tall, and is said to have lived 130 years.
He was a natural-born leader who helped many slaves escape bondage and oppression by taking them to safe houses (quilombos) around Brazil.