The Brazilian connection – Webinar

Reviving Nigeria’s links across the Atlantic

After the Brazilian abolition of slave trade in 1850, many Africans decided to return to their homeland. Because of the economic possibilities, a number of those returnees of them ended up in cities like Lagos. These relatively well educated newcomers came back as skilled craftsmen.

The returnees built their houses after the image of the places they had left in Brazil, with brightly painted facades and paned windows framed by cast mouldings. They changed the face of Lagos with their architecture: Holy Cross Cathedral, Shitta Bey Mosque, Water House and until 2016 Casa do Fernandez/Ilojo Bar tell the story of their craftsmanship. What is the story of these returnees and what is left of this heritage?- With a vitual tour of Lagos’ Brazilian Quarter by President Graciano Martins of the Brazilian Descendant’s Association

– Presentation by Lisa Earl-Castillo, independent scholar and author of numerous scholarly articles on Afro-Brazilian and Aguda history

– Interview with Titilola Marinho-Anigdugbe, Lagosian researching her family’s Brazilian roots