little africa

Little Africa is the historic home of the Afro-Brazilian community in the Port Region of Rio de Janeiro. The region became known as Little Africa after the slave trade became illegal in Brazil in 1831 (although the abolition of slavery did not happen until 50 years later). Between 1850 and 1920, freed slaves remained working in the region. Freed blacks and Africans from Bahia or the interior traveled to Little Africa in search of work and a sense of community. Little Africa often welcomed blacks from all over the country, where houses, places of daily life and religious centers were built.