Afro-Brazilian Museum

Welcome to the Museu Afro-Brasileiro of the Federal University of Bahia, a space dedicated to the profound and often overlooked history of the African diaspora in Brazil. As we stand here in the historic heart of Salvador, the…

We step into a somber space that chronicles the 'penous voyage' across the Atlantic. The sources describe how Africans were bound in the hold of slave ships, known as 'Navios Negreiros,' enduring a crossing that many did not…

As we move further, the atmosphere shifts from the earthly trauma of slavery to the celestial grandeur of African spirituality. This section is dedicated to the Orishas, the deities of the Candomblé religion. …

It is a common misconception that Africans were brought to Brazil merely for 'brute force.' This gallery decisively refutes that notion by highlighting the 'sabers and technologies' that these individuals contributed to the…

In this section, we explore one of the most sensory and enduring aspects of the Afro-Brazilian legacy: the cuisine. The sources highlight the work of Manuel Querino, the first Brazilian historian to truly detail and do justice to…

The museum's collection of visual arts is a testament to the fact that African hands built the aesthetic landscape of Brazil. The sources detail how black artists were fundamental to the development of the Brazilian Baroque and…

Finally, we immerse ourselves in the rhythms and movements that define the public soul of Brazil. The museum houses a significant collection of musical instruments, many of which have direct African ancestors. …

As we conclude our tour of the Afro-Brazilian Museum, we are left with a profound sense of the 'unbuntu'—the idea that 'I am because we are.' This museum has taken us from the dark holds of the slave ships to the golden altars of…