Free tour

Little Africa: African Resistance and Culture in Brazil

4.72

Good (54 ratings)

Rio de Janeiro

Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes

Languages: English and Spanish

Guru: Free Walker

PRO

Verified quality

Registered on 01 November 2021

We were inspired to start when Luana returned to Brazil after living in Ireland for a year and immersing herself in local life. During her time in Europe, she had the opportunity to travel and learn about many countries and cultures. On every trip, whenever she visited a new city, the first thing she sought out was a “free walking tour”. When she returned to Brazil and couldn't find one in Rio de Janeiro, our travel agency was born, in July 2013. With 11 years in the market, we continue to share our passion! Free Walker has evolved and grown since then. Today, we offer tours in Rio de Janeiro, Paraty, and Salvador. We prioritize quality in interactive and enjoyable tours, aiming to change the way tours are organized in Brazil and improve their quality. Welcome! It would be a pleasure to have you join us!

Free booking and cancellation

Pay-what-you-wish tour, no set price, booking and cancellation are free

Tour description

When visiting Brazil, it’s impossible not to talk about the influence of Africa on our culture! Just imagine samba, capoeira, or feijoada, the things that Brazil is known for in the world. All these things have their roots in the African slave communities of Brazil! Learn stories about how the Brazilian cultural identity was formed during the years since slavery times until today. Meanwhile, visit important historical & contemporaneous landmarks in this less-visited area of downtown Rio de Janeiro!

Small 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 was made illegal in Brazil in 1831 (although the abolition of slavery did not take place until 50 years later). Between 1850 and 1920, freed slaves remained working in the region. Blacks and freed Africans from Bahia or the interior traveled to Little Africa in search of work and a sense of community. Today the area is known as a place of the black resistance.

Places we will cover:

Praça Mauá
MAR - Rio Art Museum
Museu do Amanhã
Eduardo Kobra Ethnicities Graffiti
Largo São Francisco da Prainha
São Francisco da Prainha Church
Conceição Hill
Salt Stone (Pedra do Sal)
Cais do Valongo (Valongo Wharf)

Highlights

What will we see on this tour?

Meeting point:

Praça Mauá, 70 - Saúde, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 20081-210, Brazil

Our meeting point is Praça Mauá, in front of MAR (Rio Art Museum) - 10 minutes walking from "Uruguaiana" metro station or accessible by Uber or close to VLT station of "Parada dos Museus"

Outside visit

Praça Mauá - Praça Mauá - Centro

meeting point

Outside visit

Museu do Amanhã - Praça Mauá - Centro

Outside visit

Museu de Arte do Rio - Praça Mauá - Centro

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours don't have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end the amount they consider appropriate (amounts usually range from €10 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).