AFRICAN HERITAGE HISTORICAL TOUR
In recent decades, in particular, after the start of construction on Porto Maravilha, archaeological studies and excavations have brought to light the historical and cultural importance of the Port Region of Rio de Janeiro for understanding the process of the African Diaspora and the formation of Brazilian society.
Archaeological findings motivated the creation, by Municipal Decree 34,803 of November 29, 2011, of the Curatorial Working Group of the Historical and Archaeological Circuit of African Heritage, to collectively build guidelines for the implementation of policies to enhance the memory and protect this cultural heritage.
Each of the points indicated by the decree refers to a dimension of the lives of Africans and their descendants in the Port Region. The Valongo and Imperatriz Quays represent their arrival in Brazil.
The Cemetery of Pretos Novos shows the undignified treatment given to the remains of people brought from the African continent. Largo do Depósito was an area where slaves were sold.
The Valongo Garden symbolizes the official history that sought to erase traces of the slave trade. Around it, there were fattening houses and a vast trade in items related to slavery.
Pedra do Sal was a point of resistance, celebration and encounter. And finally, the old school of the Parish of Santa Rita, the José Bonifácio Cultural Center, a great reference center for Black culture, refers to education and culture as instruments of liberation in our days. These landmarks will receive official signage as points of the Historical and Archaeological Circuit of the Celebration of African Heritage and special attention from the Porto Maravilha Cultural Program.
In addition to the signage, the Circuit Working Group has established actions to increase knowledge of this part of the history of the African Diaspora. The proposal includes guided tours, publications, and outreach activities.