Walking Tour Little Africa: The Black Diaspora Route in Rio de Janeiro

The itinerary transmits the history of the black presence in Rio de Janeiro and the legacy of its culture, from the region known as Little Africa, in the port region where ships with enslaved Africans docked. The place known as Cais do Valongo is a historic site and a World Heritage Site. With a decolonial and anti-racist approach, the tour reveals the struggle and resistance of enslaved peoples, and also celebrates the participation of black people in the construction of national identity, as well as in the ways of living and knowing in society. Along the way, we highlight important black personalities for Rio and the whole country, such as André Rebouças, Tia Ciata, Donga, Machado de Assis, João Alabá, among others. The script looks to the past in a constructive way, together creating new thoughts, interpretations and perspectives for understanding our present.

“This tour reveals the origins of iconic elements of Rio culture, such as Samba, Feijoada, Capoeira, among many other black Brazilian cultural manifestations. We re-occupy our spaces, telling these stories that aren't in the books, that weren't passed on to society as a whole. I feel obliged to be here, to do this reading from my point of view, my experiences. The presence of a black guide is important in these spaces because we have already been living different experiences where only the white men tells our story”
Emily Borges