Joaquín Lenzina
Encyclopedia
Joaquín Lenzina, commonly known as "Ansina", accompanied José Gervasio Artigas
throughout his life as his most loyal friend and follower.
He was born in Montevideo
in 1760, son of Black slaves. He was a waterboy who, still as a child, moved to the countryside where he became a payador, a gaucho
wandering minstrel.
He enlisted as crew in a fishing boat which turned out to be a pirate ship. On discovering this, he fled to the Brazilian coast where he was captured and turned into slave.
He was bought by Artigas, who liberated him immediately. In this way a deep lifelong friendship was established between them. He participated in various battles alongside Artigas. When Artigas was exiled to Paraguay
, Ansina accompanied him.
After the death of Artigas, Manuel Antonio Ledesma learned of the solitude in which Ansina lived and welcomed him to his home until his death in 1860. Unfortunately, due to the destruction caused by the war of Paraguay, his remains have not been found.
José Gervasio Artigas
José Gervasio Artigas is a national hero of Uruguay, sometimes called "the father of Uruguayan nationhood".-Early life:Artigas was born in Montevideo on June 19, 1764...
throughout his life as his most loyal friend and follower.
He was born in Montevideo
Montevideo
Montevideo is the largest city, the capital, and the chief port of Uruguay. The settlement was established in 1726 by Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, as a strategic move amidst a Spanish-Portuguese dispute over the platine region, and as a counter to the Portuguese colony at Colonia del Sacramento...
in 1760, son of Black slaves. He was a waterboy who, still as a child, moved to the countryside where he became a payador, a gaucho
Gaucho
Gaucho is a term commonly used to describe residents of the South American pampas, chacos, or Patagonian grasslands, found principally in parts of Argentina, Uruguay, Southern Chile, and Southern Brazil...
wandering minstrel.
He enlisted as crew in a fishing boat which turned out to be a pirate ship. On discovering this, he fled to the Brazilian coast where he was captured and turned into slave.
He was bought by Artigas, who liberated him immediately. In this way a deep lifelong friendship was established between them. He participated in various battles alongside Artigas. When Artigas was exiled to Paraguay
Paraguay
Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the...
, Ansina accompanied him.
After the death of Artigas, Manuel Antonio Ledesma learned of the solitude in which Ansina lived and welcomed him to his home until his death in 1860. Unfortunately, due to the destruction caused by the war of Paraguay, his remains have not been found.