Retracing History: The Great Passage Cruise from Brazil to Angola
Helena Monteiro da Costa, whose father was enslaved in the 19th century, looks forward to a historic cruise retracing the slave trade route from Angola to Brazil. The Great Passage aims to educate participants about the slave trade’s legacy, addressing the estimated five million Africans forcibly transported to Brazil during this period.
Helena Monteiro da Costa, a 99-year-old woman, eagerly anticipates participating in a pioneering cruise that will retrace the route her father, an enslaved individual, took from Angola to Brazil in the 19th century. This cruise, known as the Great Passage, intends to educate participants about the historical slave trade, significantly impacting millions. Between the 16th and 19th centuries, Brazil received approximately five million enslaved Africans, predominantly from Angola, aboard Portuguese ships, often under appalling conditions. The journey serves as a pivotal opportunity to reflect on this dark chapter in history and the enduring legacy of slavery.
The transatlantic slave trade profoundly shaped Brazilian society and demographics, with Brazil having the largest population of enslaved Africans in the Americas. The Great Passage cruise aims to confront this painful past by providing educational insight to participants, especially descendants of those affected. By retracing this route, the cruise endeavors to promote understanding, healing, and acknowledgment of the injustices wrought by slavery, fostering a dialogue about heritage and accountability for historical wrongs.
The Great Passage cruise represents a significant step towards understanding and acknowledging the historical implications of the transatlantic slave trade. It is an opportunity for individuals, particularly descendants of enslaved Africans, to confront their heritage and promote discussions about accountability. This initiative not only honors the memories of those who suffered but also encourages a collective reflection on the past’s impact on present-day society.
Original Source: www.scmp.com
