Matthew Black

Sergio Umbria

On the day of Saint Matthew the Apostle, September 21
From 1773, 250 years ago, he was born on the Hacienda
El Totumo, from the town of San José de Tiznados
Guárico, the Black Matea Bolívar

The “El Totumo” fazenda was only a part of
The great estate of Juan Vicente Bolívar and María
De la Concepción de Palacios and Blanco, parents
Whom she would immortalize her last names. Being a girl
Slave was taken to the colonial city of Caracas

To be a nanny and full-time caregiver for the child
Simón, youngest of the four children in the family
Her presence was essential in the infant's development
She was close at all times, like an angel of the
Guarda helped her take her first steps

Hippolyta was the nurse who nursed him, matthew
Ten years older than the boy, she was like a sister
Who pampered him, shared games, encouraged walks and
She told fabled stories to the future Liberator of six nations

The children's games of the colonial era were the
First ways to interact of the wealthy orphan
With the outside world. Matea was undoubtedly
There being the first guide and instructor of the thin, nervous
Restless and mischievous Simoncito The security that itself

He always manifested himself, the volcanic rebellion, the
Precocity in his ideas, the temper of his character and
The determination in his actions are due in great
Part of her to her

Without wanting to, Matea was Bolívar's teacher and
Together with her preceptors and teachers, she formed
That first community of affections that made him a
Iron Man. The boy's teachers were
The wise Miguel José Sanz, the mathematical priest

Francisco de Andújar, the humanist Andrés Bello
And the genius of modern education Simón Rodríguez
She and they forged her soul

In this select circle of careful teachings
The childhood and pre-adolescence of the little boy passed
Solitary, and to all of them he rendered a cult of friendship and
Thank you until the end of your days

As an adult, the Liberator expressed himself this way about Hipólita and
Matea in a letter: They are my father and my mother
The affection she had for both of them was infinite, always
I consider them part of your family

Matea Bolívar lived more than a hundred years, during the
Of which she was an eyewitness to extraordinary episodes
From the life of her protégé

Recently married, Bolívar accompanied him during the brief
Months of stay at the San Mateo hacienda
He was by his side in the difficult moments of the
Incurable fever of his wife and shared the mourning of the
Premature widowhood

On March 25, 1814, being in the upper house of the
Hacienda San Mateo, he witnessed the sacrifice of Antonio
Ricaurte, who blew himself up by setting fire to the Holy
Bárbara (gunpowder and weapons depot)

By blowing up the royalist troops that
They were occupying the place. During that battle he was able
Observe José Tomás Boves closely, and helped
Evacuate the Bolívar family after the explosion

He accompanied María Antonia Bolívar to the long exile that
She forced him to leave Venezuela for Havana. The chasing
It was a constant whip that the Bolívars were subjected to
In the eleven years of war for independence

Matea passed away, aged 112 years and six months, on March 29
From 1886, during her long existence, she saw the birth, growth
Marry, battle, give offspring and die to the whole family
Bolivar. She always had it hanging in her room, next to her bed
The darling portrait of her

To that degree of our high admiration and appreciation
We must treasure the presence of Matea in the life of Bolívar
She taught him self-confidence, instilled in him the
Best Concepts for Lifetime and provided you with countless
Moments of healthy childish joy and spiritual well-being

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