Digitizing Footprints of Afro-Lisbon – Narrative
The African diaspora represents one of the most widespread groups of people in the world. Although people-to-people encounters involving Africa and the rest of the world occurred for centuries, the African diaspora’s global spread, especially to the Americas, involved forced immigration through slave trade and colonial mobilities. While the longstanding harm caused by the transatlantic slave trade and colonization of the African continent is widely recognized, the extent to which these dark periods of human history affected the honor and dignity of people of African descent outside Africa is often overlooked. The global Black experience today is marked by the struggle for belonging, a condition where people of African descent are subjected to accept the invisibility of their cultural, artistic, and linguistic heritage. Despite their enduring contributions to nation building and citizenship, communities of the African diaspora in the Western world, especially in former colonial metropoles, remain hidden or ignored from the grand narratives of national history. In many ways, the case of people of African descent in Portugal is no different.
A former colonial empire with colonies in Africa, Asia, and South America, Portugal has a long history of participating in the enslavement and colonization of African people. Within its own borders, the heritage of people of African descent—like many other colonial empires—has been placed in the shadows of mainstream historiography. Despite these setbacks, the story of the African diaspora in Portugal is not only of invisibility and erasure; it is also of resistance, entrepreneurship, and empowerment. A notably impactful group that honors the African diaspora in Portugal is Batoto Yetu, an organization that is gaining prominence for its activities that aim to bring the heritage of people of African descent in Lisbon from the margins to the center.
Batoto Yetu is a non-profit organization that works to educate young people and children from different economic backgrounds who are interested in learning about African culture. The key premise of Batoto Yetu’s mission affirms Afro-Lisbonians’ recognition and appreciation of their cultural roots are essential factors in consolidating their self-esteem and sense of belonging. The organization encourages cultural enrichment through the arts, including music and dance. Batoto Yetu attempts to address the lack of representation of Black legacy and contributions in Portuguese historical curricula in the classroom, and, in doing so, empower Afro-Lisbonians to learn about their history which has been erased and forgotten. As a physical example of the historical embeddedness of the Afro-Lisbonian community, Batoto Yetu recently placed memorial plaques around Lisbon that honor important people and events of people of African descent in Lisbon. Through these plaques, the organization strives to demonstrate African people in Lisbon were not just slaves but citizens that helped build the city. The plaques honor the resilience and entrepreneurship of several African doctors, philosophers, and artists that were key figures in the making of Lisbon.
It is against this background that we—a cohort of 14 students from various disciplines at Kent State University with Dr. Teddy W. Workneh (School of Communication Studies) and Dr. David E. Silva (School of Communication Studies and School of Emerging Media & Technology)—embarked on a four-week faculty-led immersive experience in Lisbon that aimed at amplifying the invaluable contributions of Afro-Lisbonians to the cultural and historical tapestry of Portugal. Made possible by the growing partnership between the College of Communication and Information at Kent State University and the Catholic University of Portugal, our journey of collaborating with Batoto Yetu involved a journey of listening, asking questions, researching, and reflecting. By positioning ourselves as learners and partners, we sought to enrich our understanding and support Batoto Yetu’s mission of fostering community cohesion and cultural appreciation for children and youth of African origin.
The AfroLisbon project harnesses the power of technology to uplift marginalized voices and advance social justice by using the open-source technology GLARE, an augmented reality/virtual reality tool developed by Kent State University. By creating immersive virtual reality experiences, we aspire to illuminate the rich history and contributions of African immigrants to Portugal. This initiative is not merely an academic endeavor; it is a step towards increasing awareness, knowledge, visibility, and accessibility of these often-overlooked narratives.
We envision our media and digital technology intervention achieving several critical outcomes. Firstly, it will serve as an educational tool that offers a deeper, more nuanced understanding of Lisbon’s diverse cultural landscape. Secondly, it will act as a platform for marginalized communities to share their stories, thus fostering a sense of pride and belonging among African-origin individuals in Lisbon. Thirdly, it will provide an innovative, engaging way for the broader public to appreciate the cultural diversity that shapes modern Portugal.
The African experience in Lisbon, Portugal, spanning from the 15th century through present day, is a rich tapestry of migration and integration. We strive to amplify and advance Batoto Yetu’s vision of equal opportunities for all in Portugal and Europe where cultural diversity is valued and recognized. From the shadows of the 1400s to the forefront of modern Lisbon, the history of Africans is a tale of resilience, cultural fusion, and unyielding hope. Through centuries of adversity and triumph, from the sites of Poco dos Negros, Dr. Jose Tomas de Sousa Martins and Pai Paulino, to The African Worker, Africans have created a distinctive presence, enriching Lisbon’s vibrant and diverse heritage.
Have you ever strolled through a city and wondered about the diverse cultures that have shaped its landscape? We invite you to explore Kent State’s Digitizing Footprints of Afro-Lisbon project, particularly the Immersive Stories of Lisbon/Batoto Yetu 360 Tour. The journey continues, ever forward, ever resilient.