# African heritage preservation in Rio de Janeiro

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/african-heritage-preservation-in-rio-de-janeiro
> Updated: 2026-08-18T00:00:00.000Z. Sources: 14. Developments: 2.

The Museum of Afro-Brazilian History and Culture (Muhcab) in Rio de Janeiro launched the ‘Território Inventivo Pequena África’ exhibition. The display focuses on the history of the Pequena África region and the Cais do Valongo, a UNESCO World Heritage site where over 1 million enslaved Africans arrived during the 18th and 19th centuries. The exhibition utilizes immersive sensory elements, such as augmented reality and interactive maps, to reconstruct the history of the area.

Following this, the Brazilian government officially handed over the Edifício Docas André Rebouças to be transformed into the African Heritage Interpretation Center of Cais do Valongo. This R$ 77 million project, funded by federal resources, is expected to take three years to complete. The center will serve as a dedicated space to house an extensive collection of over one million archaeological items, including tools, clothing, and jewelry.

In addition to the collection, the site will feature an Open Urban Archaeology Laboratory and the André Rebouças Memorial. Minister of Culture Margareth Menezes described the initiative as a “vital step toward historical reparation for the centuries of slavery and subsequent inequality.” The project continues the efforts to preserve the memory of the site, which is legally recognized as an Afro-Brazilian historical and cultural heritage site.

## Claims

- The federal government delivered the Docas André Rebouças Building to be transformed into a cultural center. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The project will include the African Heritage Interpretation Center, an Open Urban Archaeology Laboratory, and the André Rebouças Memorial. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The adaptation work is estimated to cost R$ 77 million and will be funded by federal resources. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The estimated timeline for the completion of the works is three years. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The center is expected to house a collection of more than 1 million items from archaeological excavations. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- UNESCO recognized Cais do Valongo as a World Heritage site in 2017. (single source)
- Minister of Culture Margareth Menezes stated the project is a path toward historical reparation for over 380 years of slavery. (single source)
- The Docas André Rebouças building was constructed in 1871 without slave labor and was listed by Iphan in 2018. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-18: Cais do Valongo to host new African heritage museum in Rio

Rio de Janeiro is transforming the historic Edifício Docas André Rebouças into an African Heritage Interpretation Center to preserve the memory of Cais do Valongo, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cais-do-valongo-to-receive-museum-in-historic-rio-building

### 2026-08-16: Muhcab museum hosts Pequena África exhibition in Rio de Janeiro

Muhcab in Rio de Janeiro has opened the 'Território Inventivo Pequena África' exhibition, exploring the history of the Cais do Valongo and the resistance of the Afro-Brazilian community.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/muhcab-museum-hosts-pequena-frica-exhibition-in-rio-de-janeiro

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Cite as: African heritage preservation in Rio de Janeiro. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/african-heritage-preservation-in-rio-de-janeiro