Benin House

Welcome to the Casa do Benin, or Benin House, a unique cultural institution nestled in the historic Pelourinho district of Salvador. This site serves as a physical and symbolic bridge across the Atlantic, specifically connecting…

Let us analyze the architectural significance of this building, which underwent a radical restoration in the late 1980s. Lina Bo Bardi, famous for her work on the MASP in São Paulo, sought to create a space that was both modern…

We now enter the gallery spaces to examine the collection of artifacts from the Republic of Benin. These objects are not merely decorative; they are 'messengers' from the ancient Kingdom of Dahomey. …

One of the most sensory-rich areas of the Casa do Benin is the textile collection. Here, we analyze the famous 'cloths from the coast'—vibrant, hand-woven fabrics that have been traded between Bahia and West Africa for centuries. …

In this section, we delve into the spiritual heart of the connection: the parallels between the Voodoo practiced in Benin and the Candomblé of Bahia. The museum features various altars and ritual objects that illustrate how the…

We now move toward the culinary area of the house, which often hosts workshops and serves traditional Afro-Bahian food. The connection between Benin and Bahia is perhaps most visceral in the kitchen. …

To conclude our tour of the interior, we visit the library and research center within the Casa do Benin. This area is dedicated to the scholarly study of African history and the diaspora. …

As we conclude our tour of the Casa do Benin, we are left with a profound sense of the 'intertwined history' of these two Atlantic shores. We have moved from the architectural vision of Lina Bo Bardi through the galleries of…