African king visits Brazil

Camorim in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil was graced by the presence of African royalty King Tchongolola Tchongonga Ekuikui VI of Angola. The royal visit served to bolster the ancestral heritage of this community, the descendants of those who escaped slavery.

Tracing their roots back to King Ekuikui VI's ancient Bailundo kingdom, the community bears witness to its past through keeping its traditions, dances, spirituality and use of medicinal plants alive.

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."

Brazil was the final destination of an estimated three to five million African slaves, with Brazil the last country in the western hemisphere to abolish slavery, in 1888. Fifty-six percent of Brazil's current population identify as Black.

Home to over 1.3 million Brazilians, 'quilombos' are Brazilian rural settlements for people of African origins, of which Camorim is one. Currently, urban quilombos are springing up across the nation in response to a surge in discrimination and racial tensions in Brazil.

Black people in Brazil are underrepresented in Congress or executive business positions despite representing over 50 percent of the population. And although Brazil's home to the largest diaspora population of African descent, its Afro-Brazilian community routinely grapples with the highest levels of poverty and discrimination in the country.

For nurse Marilene Lopes de Jesus, not only is the King's presence of historical significance but also a boost in morale.

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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