Exploring the Little Africa Neighborhood in Rio

Exploring Little Africa and learning its history as a local was a humbling experience. Read about how AirBNB experiences connected me with two awesome hosts that fed me black history and Feijoada ( pronounced fay-jwa-da).

Little Africa, Pequena África in Portuguese, is an area in the port region of Rio de Janeiro. Home to a strong Afro-Brazilian community, the area became known as Little Africa following the outlaw of the slave trade in Brazil in 1831 (though the abolition of slavery outright would not come for another 50 years).

Little Africa Walking Tour with Luana

AirBNB offers several walking tours and I chose the experience listed here: https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/28733 . Your tour guide will be a scholar or teacher versed in afro-Brazilian culture and Brazil’s role in the slave trade.

Rua do Valongo – Slave Fattening Houses

Brazil’s first favela, Providência, the Rua do Valongo is a road that runs from Largo do Depósito, where enslaved Africans brought to Brazil via Rio were kept in fattening houses to increase their market price until they were ready to be sold at the Valongo slave market.

Cais do Valongo – Rio’s Most Active Slave Market

The archaeological remains of Cais do Valongo, or Valongo Wharf, located in the center of Little Africa, mark what was once Rio de Janeiro’s most active slave market. Over the course of its operation between 1774 and 1831 an estimated 500,000 to 700,000 enslaved and captured African men and women ended their forced journey across the Atlantic Ocean at Valongo Wharf. Now designed as a UNESCO heritage site.

Olympic Avenue

Home of the 2016 Olympic games, the Olympic Boulevard is a must-see. Lining the path are the women of the world, representing each continent. the After checking out Mother Africa, I met Paulo for my next Little Africa experience in his home.

Feijoada and Caipirinhas with Paulo

Perfect timing…Paulo and I met where Luana and I finished. On the walk to his home, Paulo will tell you the history of Little Africa and point out landmarks. The added bonus was hanging out with his friend Shirley. Check out his experience here: https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/343076?s=67&shared_item_type=2&virality_entry_point=2&sharer_id=24585897

History of Feijoada and Farofa

Brazilian Feijoada is a black bean and pork stew, inspired by slaves. After feasts given by the owners of the plantations, the slaves would pick up the leftover pig parts and mix them with black beans, making a new stew. Traditionally it’s served with farofa (toasted cassava flour), sauteed collard greens, and orange slices.

How to Make Feijoada

Starts with soaked black bean and pork (fresh & salted pork; smoked sausage) boiled separately, for a bit.

Saute the Couve (Collard greens), garlic, and onions

Mix the pork and beans together. Serve over rice with orange slices on the side (to cut the saltiness). Top with Farofa.

Experiencing and exploring Little Africa was an immersion into Afro-Brazilian culture, one that I suggest anyone interested in the Trans-Atlantic slave trade and the delicious cuisine Brazilians are known for. Read about the rest of my trip to Rio here.