Jovino dos Coelhos

Jovino dos Coelhos was one of the most notable valentões (tough guys) of Recife in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. According to Oscar Mello in "Recife Sangrento" (1937), he was protected by politicians and committed "all sorts of horrors" in the city.

He was famous for being nearly impossible to arrest—it took more than ten policemen to apprehend him. An exemplary swimmer, when surrounded by police he would escape by throwing himself into the waters of the Capibaribe River. He also handled a large pointed knife with exceptional skill.

Jovino was among the capoeira leaders who protected the rival carnival bands in Recife. The bands of "Quarto" (4th Artillery Battalion) and "Espanha" (National Guard) paraded during Pernambuco carnival protected by the agility, bravery, clubs, and knives of capoeiras like him. These capoeiristas performed in front of the bands using ginga and kicks that were eventually transformed into the "passo"—the foundational dance of frevo.

According to Valdemar de Oliveira's 1942 work "Frevo, Capoeira e Passo", the police began a campaign against the capoeiras, sending Valdevino, João de Totó, and Jovino dos Coelhos to detention, others to the prison island of Fernando de Noronha, and others directly to the morgue.

The newspaper Correio do Recife reported on his death on July 5, 1909, referring to him as a "bandido" (bandit). Items found in his pockets included notes to various individuals. Of all the valentões of Recife carnival—Jovino dos Coelhos, Nicolau do Poço, João de Totó—only Nascimento Grande was considered more fearsome.