African king visits Brazil - 22nd November 2023

King Ekuikui VI of Angola visited Camorim in Brazil. His visit links Afro-Brazilians to his kingdom. The two places share a long history. People in Camorim still practise African dances and religion. The king wants to help Afro-Brazilians. He wants racism in Brazil to stop.

Tchongolola Tchongonga Ekuikui VI: "Our presence here is to say to Afro-Brazilians, to our brothers and sisters who are in the Federative Republic of Brazil, especially in this community, that we are here as living roots, roots that maintain our ancestry and our customs, and that we are together in this new stage where the great challenge of fighting racism against black people begins."

Five million Africans arrived in Brazil as slaves. But Brazil was the last country to end slavery, in 1888. Today, 56 percent of Brazil's population is Black.

Afro-Brazilians built villages in the forests. The name of these villages is 'quilombos'. One million Afro-Brazilians live in quilombos. This number is growing.

Black people in cities are making quilombos. They're trying to stop racism in Brazil. There aren't many Black Brazilians in Congress. There aren't many Afro-Brazilian business owners.

Brazil has the most Black people outside of Africa. But Afro-Brazilians are very poor. They don't have the same opportunities.

King Ekuikui VI's visit was good for nurse Marilene Lopes de Jesus. She feels proud.

Marilene Lopes de Jesus: "Having him back here reminds us of the intolerance we go through so much. We were kidnapped, we were brought to this country against our will, we went through so many things, so many trials and we still survived. So receiving a visit from the King boosts our self-esteem and the desire to continue fighting."