Being Black In Brazil - Rio In A Week
Black In America = Black In Brazil?
What do Black Brazilians and Black Americans have in common?
Can you think of anything?
Nothing?
What about:
So when author Habeeb Akande sent me a fresh copy of his latest book, Illuminating The Blackness: Blacks & African Muslims In Brazil – I was curious and ecstatic to read it.
Most people know nothing about the huge black population in Brazil.
You may hear comments like “Oh they aren’t Black, they are Latinos” or “Well, they aren’treally Black right?”.
In Akande’s new book, you’ll discover a powerful and interesting history about Blacks in Brazil.
Why You Should Read This Book
Like Habeeb, I’ve spent significant time over the years connecting with Black Brazilians.
But why?
It’s not by chance.
I actively pursue building relationships with Black Brazilians because it’s important to me to connect with people from other countries and cultures.
A quote in Illuminating The Blackness explains it clearly.
Habeeb explains how every black experience – whether it was in the Americas, Europe, Asia or even Africa – is similar.
During his trips to Brazil, Akande noticed the similarities between Black Cariocas (Black people from Rio de Janeiro) and Yorubas in Nigeria. He also noticed the racial hierarchy in Brazilian society that a few people sweep under the rug.
Because of this racism, Black Brazilian history – and African Muslim influence in Brazil – has been downplayed.
Later – he visited Salvador and Sao Paulo.
His features and casual attire helped him fit within Brazilian society – particularly in Bahia. In Salvador, Akande writes:
Akande decided to write Illuminating The Blackness because the current Brazilian educational system doesn’t teach the history of Black Brazilians and Muslims in Brazil.
You should read this book if:
A Peek Inside The Book
From Rabaah.com
Illuminating the Blackness presents the history of Brazil’s race relations and African Muslim heritage. The book is divided into two parts.
The author also shares his insights into the complexities of race in Brazil and draws comparisons with the racial histories of the pre-modern Muslim world including a comparative analysis of the East African Zanj slave rebellions in ninth century Baghdad with the West African Hausa and Yoruba slave rebellions in nineteenth century Bahia.
PREFACE XIII
Meeting the Sultan of Sokoto in Norther Nigeria xvi
Trips to Brazil xvii
Perceptions and Misconceptions of Brazilian Women xx
Final Thoughts on Being Black and Muslim in Brazil xxiii
Twenty Facts About Brazil That Many People Do Not Know xxv
INTRODUCTION I
Brazil’s Enslavement of Black Africans 4
Brazil’s Denial of Anti-Black Racism and White Supremacy 11
Fighting Racism through Education and Activism 21
Who is Black? What is Blackness? 22
African Influences on Brazilian Culture 33
Islam in the History of Brazil 41
Contributions of Africans Muslims to Brazil 48
The Islamic Revival in Brazil 53
Why are Brazilians Embracing Islam? 57
The Structure of the Book 66
PART ONE
RACE-RELATIONS IN BRAZIL
CHAPTER I
RACE, ETHNICITY AND SKIN COLOUR IN BRAZIL 73
The Miscegenation Ideology 74
The Whitening Ideology 80
The Ideology of Racial Democracy 86
The Census’ Racial Categories 92
Conclusion 100
CHAPTER 2
BLACK BEAUTY IN BRAZIL 103
Colourism 104
Skin Bleaching 107
Interracial Marriages 109
The Politics of Black Hair 114
The Media and the Fashion Industry 122
Appreciation of Black Beauty 134
Conclusion 143
CHAPTER 3
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION IN BRAZIL 147
Advocates and Benefits 148
Opponents and Criticisms 155
A Problem for the White Elite 157
Conclusion 162
PART TWO
BRAZIL’S AFRICAN MUSLIM HERITAGE
CHAPTER 4
AFRICAN MUSLIMS IN BRAZIL BEFORE THE PORTUGUESE 167
North African Moors in Brazil 168
West African Mandinkas in Brazil 171
Africans in Renaissance Europe 177
CHAPTER 5
SLAVE REVOLTS IN BAHIA, 1807-1835 181
Yoruba 182
Hausa 184
West African Culture 184
Bahia’s Slave Revolts 186
Was the Male Revolt a Success 204
Comparisons with the 869 Zanj Revolt in Baghdad 205
Conclusion 211
CHAPTER 6
WEST AFRICAN MUSLIMS IN RIO DE JANEIRO, PERNAMBUCO AND ALAGOAS 213
Muslim Communities 214
Literacy and Qur’anic Schools 220
Women and Marriage 229
Black Heroines 235
Return to Africa 236
CHAPTER 7
AFRICAN PERSONALITIES 239
Rufino Jose Maria 239
Mahommah Gardo Baquaqua 243
Efunroye Tinubu 245
CONCLUSION
The Racial Democracy Of Islam In Brazil 247
APPENDIX I
CATEGORIES OF WHITENESS AND BLACKNESS IN BRAZIL 251
APPENDIX 2
CHRONOLOGY OF SLAVE REVOLTS IN BAHIA, 1807-1835 255
APPENDIX 3
INDEX OF IMAGES 257
BIBLIOGRAPHY 265
INDEX 279
ABOUT THE AUTHOR 287
Discover Real Brazilian History
Read Illuminating The Blackness by clicking the link below
Illuminating The Blackness: Blacks & African Muslims In Brazil
Black In America = Black In Brazil?
What do Black Brazilians and Black Americans have in common?
Can you think of anything?
Nothing?
What about:
- Rising above racism and white supremacy
- Colorism
- Similar histories in the Americas via Africa
- Black entrepreneurship
- Black Music
- World Class athletes
- Social movements for better education and opportunities
- Natural Hair Movement
- The fight against police brutality
So when author Habeeb Akande sent me a fresh copy of his latest book, Illuminating The Blackness: Blacks & African Muslims In Brazil – I was curious and ecstatic to read it.
This book shows you just how Black, Brazil really is.
Most people know nothing about the huge black population in Brazil.
You may hear comments like “Oh they aren’t Black, they are Latinos” or “Well, they aren’treally Black right?”.
In Akande’s new book, you’ll discover a powerful and interesting history about Blacks in Brazil.
Why You Should Read This Book
Like Habeeb, I’ve spent significant time over the years connecting with Black Brazilians.
- Volunteered at a Black English school.
- Spent 4 months living with a Black Brazilian family
- Met up with Black Brazilian social activists
- Spent time in Black Music clubs
- Exchanging English lessons for Portuguese lessons
But why?
It’s not by chance.
I actively pursue building relationships with Black Brazilians because it’s important to me to connect with people from other countries and cultures.
A quote in Illuminating The Blackness explains it clearly.
Habeeb explains how every black experience – whether it was in the Americas, Europe, Asia or even Africa – is similar.
During his trips to Brazil, Akande noticed the similarities between Black Cariocas (Black people from Rio de Janeiro) and Yorubas in Nigeria. He also noticed the racial hierarchy in Brazilian society that a few people sweep under the rug.
Because of this racism, Black Brazilian history – and African Muslim influence in Brazil – has been downplayed.
Later – he visited Salvador and Sao Paulo.
His features and casual attire helped him fit within Brazilian society – particularly in Bahia. In Salvador, Akande writes:
Akande decided to write Illuminating The Blackness because the current Brazilian educational system doesn’t teach the history of Black Brazilians and Muslims in Brazil.
Black people will never learn their history unless they tell it themselves
You should read this book if:
- You are interested in modern Black Brazilian culture and history
- You are Muslim and would like to learn about the Muslim presence in Brazil
- You are interested in the Pro-Black movement in countries besides America
- You are a Black traveler who is thinking about visiting Brazil – “What is it like being Black in Brazil?”
- You want to learn more about race in Brazil
- You support Black authors and Black entrepreneurs
A Peek Inside The Book
From Rabaah.com
Illuminating the Blackness presents the history of Brazil’s race relations and African Muslim heritage. The book is divided into two parts.
- Part I explores the issue of race, anti-black racism, white supremacy, colourism, black beauty and affirmative action in contemporary Brazil.
- Part II examines the reports of African Muslims’ travels to Brazil before the Portuguese colonisers, the slave revolts in Bahia and the West African Muslim communities in nineteenth century Brazil.
The author also shares his insights into the complexities of race in Brazil and draws comparisons with the racial histories of the pre-modern Muslim world including a comparative analysis of the East African Zanj slave rebellions in ninth century Baghdad with the West African Hausa and Yoruba slave rebellions in nineteenth century Bahia.
Contents
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS XI
PREFACE XIII
Meeting the Sultan of Sokoto in Norther Nigeria xvi
Trips to Brazil xvii
Perceptions and Misconceptions of Brazilian Women xx
Final Thoughts on Being Black and Muslim in Brazil xxiii
Twenty Facts About Brazil That Many People Do Not Know xxv
INTRODUCTION I
Brazil’s Enslavement of Black Africans 4
Brazil’s Denial of Anti-Black Racism and White Supremacy 11
Fighting Racism through Education and Activism 21
Who is Black? What is Blackness? 22
African Influences on Brazilian Culture 33
Islam in the History of Brazil 41
Contributions of Africans Muslims to Brazil 48
The Islamic Revival in Brazil 53
Why are Brazilians Embracing Islam? 57
The Structure of the Book 66
PART ONE
RACE-RELATIONS IN BRAZIL
CHAPTER I
RACE, ETHNICITY AND SKIN COLOUR IN BRAZIL 73
The Miscegenation Ideology 74
The Whitening Ideology 80
The Ideology of Racial Democracy 86
The Census’ Racial Categories 92
Conclusion 100
CHAPTER 2
BLACK BEAUTY IN BRAZIL 103
Colourism 104
Skin Bleaching 107
Interracial Marriages 109
The Politics of Black Hair 114
The Media and the Fashion Industry 122
Appreciation of Black Beauty 134
Conclusion 143
CHAPTER 3
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION IN BRAZIL 147
Advocates and Benefits 148
Opponents and Criticisms 155
A Problem for the White Elite 157
Conclusion 162
PART TWO
BRAZIL’S AFRICAN MUSLIM HERITAGE
CHAPTER 4
AFRICAN MUSLIMS IN BRAZIL BEFORE THE PORTUGUESE 167
North African Moors in Brazil 168
West African Mandinkas in Brazil 171
Africans in Renaissance Europe 177
CHAPTER 5
SLAVE REVOLTS IN BAHIA, 1807-1835 181
Yoruba 182
Hausa 184
West African Culture 184
Bahia’s Slave Revolts 186
Was the Male Revolt a Success 204
Comparisons with the 869 Zanj Revolt in Baghdad 205
Conclusion 211
CHAPTER 6
WEST AFRICAN MUSLIMS IN RIO DE JANEIRO, PERNAMBUCO AND ALAGOAS 213
Muslim Communities 214
Literacy and Qur’anic Schools 220
Women and Marriage 229
Black Heroines 235
Return to Africa 236
CHAPTER 7
AFRICAN PERSONALITIES 239
Rufino Jose Maria 239
Mahommah Gardo Baquaqua 243
Efunroye Tinubu 245
CONCLUSION
The Racial Democracy Of Islam In Brazil 247
APPENDIX I
CATEGORIES OF WHITENESS AND BLACKNESS IN BRAZIL 251
APPENDIX 2
CHRONOLOGY OF SLAVE REVOLTS IN BAHIA, 1807-1835 255
APPENDIX 3
INDEX OF IMAGES 257
BIBLIOGRAPHY 265
INDEX 279
ABOUT THE AUTHOR 287
Discover Real Brazilian History
Read Illuminating The Blackness by clicking the link below
Illuminating The Blackness: Blacks & African Muslims In Brazil
