The Museu vale, in partnership with the Museum of the Portuguese Language, brings to Espírito Santo the exhibition “African Languages ​​that Make Brazil,” at the Anchieta Palace, the seat of the State Government. Curated by musician and philosopher Tiganá Santana, the exhibition investigates the influences of African presences manifested in the languages, vocabulary, and pronunciation of Portuguese spoken in Brazil. The Vitória edition also features the unprecedented contribution of artists from Espírito Santo.

The configuration of Portuguese spoken in Brazil, its vocabulary, and the way words are pronounced, are profoundly influenced by languages ​​present in Sub-Saharan Africa, such as Yoruba, Ewe-Fon, and those of the Bantu group. This is a history and a reality bequeathed by approximately 4.8 million African people violently brought to the country between the 16th and 19th centuries during the slave regime. Beyond language, this presence can be felt in cultural manifestations such as music, architecture, popular festivals, and religious rituals.

In the exhibition, audiovisual productions, sound installations, Adinkra symbols (used as a writing system by the Ashanti people), and materials such as cowrie shells are some of the elements present in a space of memory and celebration, connecting past and present, orality and writing. The result is an immersive experience that recognizes and values ​​the constantly transforming Afro-diasporic heritages.

With the aim of promoting accessibility and democratization of knowledge, we have prepared a 360º Virtual Tour so that all audiences can visit the exhibition at any time.