# Little Africa – The Roots of Black Heritage

More than a walking tour: a journey through memory, resistance, and Afro-Brazilian ancestry.

Did you know that Rio de Janeiro is home to one of the most historically significant sites of the African diaspora in the Americas?

Discover Little Africa, a historic district in Rio de Janeiro's port area where African heritage remains alive through architecture, music, spirituality, popular traditions, and Brazilian cultural identity.

Little Africa – The Roots of Black Heritage is an Afro-centered cultural experience that invites visitors to explore stories often overlooked in traditional narratives of the city.

During this approximately 3.5-hour walking tour, we will explore places of memory that reveal the experiences of enslaved Africans and their descendants, their resistance, and their essential contributions to Brazilian society.

## A journey through history and ancestry

Our main itinerary begins at the Museum of Afro-Brazilian History and Culture (MUHCAB), a cultural institution dedicated to preserving and celebrating Afro-Brazilian memory and cultural expression.

We then visit the Pretos Novos Research and Memory Institute (IPN), located at an archaeological site associated with a former burial ground for enslaved Africans who died shortly after arriving in Rio de Janeiro.

At Valongo Wharf, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, we explore the history of one of the most significant landing sites for enslaved Africans in the Americas.

The journey continues to the Valongo Hanging Garden, where we reflect on urban transformations and the ways historical memory has been shaped and represented.

At Pedra do Sal, an iconic landmark of Black culture in Rio, we discover stories connected to samba, Afro-Brazilian communities, spirituality, and cultural resistance.

We will also stop at the Hilário Jovino Mural, honoring an influential figure in the history of Rio's Carnival and Afro-Brazilian cultural traditions.

Our experience concludes at São Francisco da Prainha Square, a historic setting where architectural heritage, cultural expression, and contemporary life come together.

## An experience that connects history and identity

Beyond visiting historical landmarks, this experience encourages meaningful conversations about slavery, racism, resistance, identity, African-rooted religions, and the contributions of Black communities to Brazilian society.

The tour is led by Rafael Luis Azevedo, a professional tour guide specializing in Afro-Brazilian history and culture, offering an educational, interactive, and historically informed perspective.

This experience is ideal for Brazilian and international visitors, students, educators, academic institutions, cultural groups, and anyone interested in discovering Rio de Janeiro through its African roots.

## Important information about the itinerary

The main itinerary begins at MUHCAB and ends at São Francisco da Prainha Square.

However, MUHCAB and the Pretos Novos Institute operate on specific days and hours. Therefore, the order of stops and access to museum interiors may change depending on the selected date and time.

When indoor museum visits are not possible, the tour will begin at São Francisco da Prainha Square and follow an alternative route through the area's main historical landmarks.

The final meeting point will be communicated when the booking is confirmed.

Admission fees for scheduled visits are included in the tour price, with no additional charges.

The experience lasts approximately 3.5 hours and takes place on foot. Comfortable clothing, walking shoes, water, and sunscreen are recommended.

Discover Little Africa and experience Brazilian history through the voices, memories, and experiences of its Black communities.

*Rafa_Brasil_Tours – More than a tour. Brazil explained through its roots.*

← All tours