African king visits Brazil

King Tchongolola Tchongonga Ekuikui VI of Angola visited Camorim in Brazil. The king's visit renews the connections with Afro-Brazilians who originally came from his kingdom.

The people of Camorim still practise African traditions. These include dance, religion and the use of plant medicine. The king also hopes his visit will help fight racism.

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."

Between three and five million Africans were taken to Brazil as slaves. Today, 56 percent of Brazilians are Black. Brazil only ended slavery in 1888. It was the last country in the Americas to do so.

Camorim's a rural community called a 'quilombo'. Quilombos were created by descendants of African slaves. Around 1.3 million Afro-Brazilians live in these rural villages.

Now, urban quilombos are being formed across the country. People are using quilombos to fight against an increase in racism. Few Afro-Brazilians hold office in Congress or executive business positions. The community also experiences extreme poverty and discrimination.

Nurse Marilene Lopes de Jesus feels encouraged by King Ekuikui VI's visit.

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."

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