For nearly three centuries, slaves were imported into Brazil by the millions. The largest port of entry was the city of Salvador. That city is now center of the nation’s Afro-Brazilian culture, which has become internationally celebrated, especially for its distinctive culinary tradition. The brutality of slavery and the ingenuity of slaves in surviving the terror of the institution are now the objects of keen historical interest in the city and are celebrated in music, dance, and martial arts.

Learning Objective

Students will learn how slavery shaped Salvador’s history and how Afro-Brazilian culture has preserved that legacy through food, music, dance, and martial arts.

Social Studies Standards

People, Places, & Environments: G, I

Discussion Prompts

• Discuss how brutality and dehumanization shaped the character and strengthened the people who survived it? 
• What makes Salvador a special city? Think about its history, culture, food, music, dance and traditions. Share your ideas with a peer.
• Yemanjá is a goddess of water. Why do you think so many other cultures have water goddesses or water spirits? Talk with the class about the symbolism of the importance of water in people’s lives?
• Discuss the traditions shown in this episode. Then compare them with traditions in your own life that were influenced by marginalized communities.

Lesson Activities

• Create a 3D model that represents two aspects of Salvador shaped by its African heritage. Include labels and brief notes to show how each feature reflects the city’s history and culture. 
• Create an art piece that shows resistance to slavery or oppression (drawing, collage, or sculpture). Include symbols, colors, or images that represent strength, freedom, and survival, then write a paragraph explaining how your artwork connects to the people and traditions of Salvador.
• Imagine you are a colonizer who has discovered African religious practices in Salvador. Write a letter to the archbishop that describes the practices you observed and explains how enslaved people disguised those practices. Share your reaction to what you learned.
• Design a poster with symbols of survival, freedom, and resistance connected to Salvador’s history. Present to a peer explaining the connections between the symbols and local history and pride.

Vocabulary

• brutality
• dehumanizing
• emancipation
• emerging
• endurance
• marginalized
• oppression
• preserving
• resistance
• terreiro

Download

In the Americas Season 12 Lesson Episode 8