How Brazilian town became last holdout of the American Confederacy – and why it’s finally been defeated after 160 years
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DESPITE the American Civil War ending nearly 160 years ago - there was still one place in the world where the Confederate South was seemingly alive and well. Welcome to the town of Santa Bárbara d'Oeste - where the descendants of some 20,000 fleeing American soldiers live.
![[Brazilian attendees pose at the annual Festa Confederada]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1875-following-end-u-s-954179483.jpg?strip=all&w=640)
Still flying the Confederacy's infamous blue cross on a red background with white stars for well over a century - the bloody Civil War cast a long shadow here in South America. For years, those who lived here embraced their history and their association with the so-called "Confederados" - Southerners who fled to the US as the country was rebuilt after victory by the Union.
![[People in traditional outfits hold hands between dances at the annual Festa Confederada, or Confederate Party]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1875-following-end-u-s-954179389.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Descendants of the defeated soldiers who fled formed the Fraternity of American Descendants (FDA). And they for years held an annual festival called dubbed the "Festa Confederada" - celebrating the culture of their heritage, such as music, food and dance.
![[The festival is put on by Brazilian descendants of families who fled from the southern United States to Brazil]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1875-following-end-u-s-954179467.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Organisers always insisted the event was not connected with the political associations with the Confederate flag - which is often linked with racist rhetoric and is banned in some parts of the United States. But now, from 2025 they have decided to finally cut loose the last associations with their past - instead renaming the festival the "Festa dos Americans".
![[Performers walk in traditional outfits during the festivities]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1875-following-end-u-s-954179507.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
The Confederate flags in the town will now be painted over - such as the symbol emblazoned on an obelisk in the town centre featuring the family names of Southern soldiers. FDA chiefs insist the party will now be focused on celebrating American immigration as a whole, not just their past linked to the Civil War.
![[People dressed in traditional outfits take a bow after dancing at the annual Festa Confederada]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1875-following-end-u-s-954179550.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
