Arrivalsanddepartures:returns

I am Black and I have broken so many chains The glory of shattering every shackle Amid the drifting foam's return Mother Africa, receive your lions

Image description: This is a painting depicting a calm sea with a few vessels. On the left side, we see a small vessel sailing to the right. Further ahead, there is another, larger vessel, also moving to the right. In the center of the image, there is a series of small shapes that appear to be waves or movements in the water. On the right, there is a large vessel with several sails, sailing to the left. On the horizon, we see two large rock formations, possibly islands or cliffs. The sky is clear and cloudless, giving a sense of tranquility. The predominant color is beige, with tones of blue and brown.

The port of Rio, just like Cais do Valongo and its cove, was not only a place of arrival, but also of departure and gazes cast toward the Atlantic. It was where Africans and their descendants perceived the connections with the other shore of the ocean and could dream of the return, of going back to their native land.

Freed people, mostly Africans, returned to Africa from Rio de Janeiro, right in the midst of slavery's full force in Brazil. They returned individually, and also, through much hard work and collective struggle, organized themselves, planned, and returned in groups — some of these with more than a hundred people.

Image description: The image is a document written in Portuguese, dated November 27, 1851. It is in black and white and presents a linear layout, with text aligned to the left. The document mentions an agreement between George Duck, captain of the ship Robert A 1, and Raphael José de Oliveira regarding the delivery of free African people to Bahia and afterward to Benin. The text details the terms of the agreement, including the number of passengers, food provided, and deadlines for boarding and disembarking. There are no additional images or illustrations in the picture.

The Atlantic was also a river with a flow of people who headed toward the African coasts. And the victory over the currents of slavery can be twofold, sometimes also meaning placing oneself against the current of the transoceanic slave trade. Besides the comings and goings of merchants, religious figures, and maritime workers, the Rio Atlântico was the setting for the return crossings of Africans across the ocean.

Image description: This is an old photograph of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The image shows a panoramic view of the city, with buildings and ships along the horizon. On the left side, we see a series of historic buildings, including churches with domes and towers. In the center, there is a large architectural complex with several structures, possibly a theater or palace. On the right, there are more buildings and an open area that appears to be a park or square. In the background, the sea is full of ships, some close to the shore and others farther away. The spatial arrangement is linear, with the main elements organized from left to right.