Our ancestors arrived many years ago from the African continent. Nobody came of their own will. When the slave ships arrived, families were separated. And each family member would keep a piece of cloth that represented their tribe or family.

“Nobody came of their own will,” is the key sentence to remember. Slaves were transported like cargo. According to the “A terrible passage from Africa” article (from where the following picture was taken), between 1514 and 1866 more than 12.5 million people were transported from Africa to America.

Detail of a slave ship. How women were transported in the Brookes slave ship in 1791. Men were transported in even worse conditions, usually being chained and attached to irons. Nobody came of their own will.

The “piece of cloth” the video refers to is represented today by the “Pavilhão.” It’s a flag carried during the Carnival celebrations in Brazil to remember and honor the slaves. It’s a very important symbol because it identifies the samba school that carries it.

Mestre-sala and porta-bandeira. Detail of a porta-bandeira (flag carrier) and a mestre-sala (master of ceremonies) from the Unidos de Vila Isabel samba school, ca. 2006. The porta-bandeira proudly waves the pavilhão (flag) carrying the colors of the samba school. Credits.