New Afro-Brazilian history, culture museum to be built in Rio

The new Museum of Afro-Brazilian History and Culture is expected to be inaugurated in 2020, in the Docas Dom Pedro II building, in Rio de Janeiro’s port area. The facility will aim to highlight the importance of Valongo Wharf, the biggest port in the history of slave trade.

Valongo Wharf, the biggest port to receive black slaves in the Americas - Tomaz Silba, Agência Brasil

The building was chosen to house the museum for its special significance to the African-Brazilian community as it was designed by black engineer André Rebouças, which refused to accept slave labor in its construction, 20 years before slaves were emancipated in Brazil.

The museum will be “a collective construction, built in close connection with the black community, from the bottom up,” Rio de Janeiro Culture Secretary Nilcemar Nogueira declared.

Investment

Valongo Wharf, the biggest port to receive black slaves in the Americas, was granted the status of cultural heritage with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) Friday (Nov. 23). The archaeological site was uncovered during excavations in 2011.

Kátia Bogéa, head of the National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage, said approximately $1 million will be spent to prepare the wharf for visitation.

“The US Embassy contributed with $500 thousand, which we will use in the first stage to prepare the site, the stones, the draining, etc. The second stage—artistic lighting, heritage education, signage, will be covered by funds still under negotiation with the private enterprise,” she said.

*Trainee under the supervision of Mario Toledo