Back
Brazil_Capoeira_iStock_000002286881__resized

With the end of Black History Month falling in October, we look into the history of Brazil, where the lives of millions of Africans and Brazilians alike were affected by slavery.

Slavery in Brazil began long before imprisoned Africans were shipped to the Portuguese colony. Indigenous people where enslaved primarily by other indigenous tribes, then later on by the Portuguese settlers. Although not much spoken of, the enslavement of indigenous people continued throughout the African slavery period until the abolition law was settled.

Brazil became a major importer of African slaves between 1600-1800 where around 4.5 million enslaved Africans were brought into the country. It was the driving force of the sugar cane industry where slaves worked gruelling hours with constant physical abuse. The discovery of gold and diamonds increased the employment of slaves and working conditions became increasingly worse. With the rise of the number of Africans in Brazil, the percentage of the black population grew rapidly, and a new category of mixed race, or mulatto, came into being.

On 13th May 1888, Princess Isabelle signed the ‘Golden Law’, abolishing slavery in Brazil, making it the last country in the Western world to abolish slavery.
The introduction of African slaves to Brazil not only changed the country’s history but also its culture. Many dances, saints, beliefs and food are heavily influenced by African custom and traditions. An example of this is feijoada, until this day the staple dish of all Brazilian households: the slaves would receive, once a day, a serving of bean broth which they then went on to enrich with unwanted cuts of meat such as pig’s tongue and trotters.

Tailor-made holidays

Flexible, custom-made holidays to Latin America created to match your exact requirements: our tailor-made itineraries are as unique as the clients for whom they are designed.

Design my trip

Papagaio

Your edit for Latin American inspiration

Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.

View Extraordinary Inspiration
Bartolome, Galápagos

Meet our team

Real Latin american experts

  • Heloise
    Heloise Buxton - Travel Expert

    Heloise started her Latin American journey as an exchange student in Santiago, Chile. With extended summer holidays this was the perfect opportunity to backpack through Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Brazil.

  • Sophie
    Sophie Barber - Travel Expert

    Sophie lived in Chile before joining us and has travelled extensively across Latin America, from Mexico to the furthest tip of Patagonia and beyond to Antarctica.

  • Alex
    Alex Walker - Travel Expert

    A globetrotter since her childhood, Alex spent a year studying abroad in Guadalajara and has returned to Latin America countless times since then.

  • Paul Winrow Giffin
    Paul Winrow-Giffin - Travel Expert

    After graduating in Computer Science, Paul spent seven months travelling from Colombia to Argentina and came home hooked on Latin America.

  • Mary
    Mary Anne Nelson - Travel Expert

    Born in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, Mary’s insider knowledge and dry sense of humour make her a highly valued member of the Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tour sales team.

  • Lina
    Lina Fuller - Travel Expert

    Lina's passion for the continent where she was born really took off when she moved to Córdoba (Argentina) to study, spending the holidays travelling between Argentina and her native Colombia.

0 1 2 3 4 5