“It’s the place to begin, always—to return to home, literally.”

— Professor Wole Soyinka, Nobel Laureate, playwright, and activist

Aguda Returns : A Family Portrait is a first-of-its-kind , multi-disciplinary project which builds on the groundbreaking research done by the Nigerian-Brazilian History Project tracing the return journey of formerly enslaved Yoruba people who returned to Lagos and West Africa.

Mission Statement

Aguda Returns aims to preserve, celebrate, and share the Aguda legacy—the missing piece of the Atlantic Slavery narrative, connecting the African, Brazilian, and broader diaspora experiences. The project uncovers the cultural contributions, resilience, and innovative belief systems that the Aguda brought back to Lagos. We will also be developing public programs over the coming years to help re-tell this story.

Vision

We aim to bring the Aguda stories into the global cultural conversation, fostering awareness and dialogue about cultural restitution, decolonization, and historical education of the African diaspora about their liberation from Atlantic Slavery.

Why Aguda Returns is Crucial Today

The story of the Aguda is a critical missing chapter in the history of Atlantic slavery — one that has long been overlooked. This project is about preserving their legacy and reclaiming a cultural history that has been silenced for generations. It is also crucial to retrace the brilliance and determination of the return to West Africa, a defiant act against Atlantic Slavery.

With today’s global conversations about reparations, decolonization, and cultural restitution, Aguda Returns is timely. It presents a unique opportunity to bring to light the Afro-Brazilian legacy and its profound impact on both African and global history. By uncovering the journey of the Aguda, this project contributes to the ongoing effort to restore marginalized narratives and amplify the contributions of the African diaspora.

The Aguda returned from Brazil bringing unique Afro Brazilian culture, architecture especially and these unique design buildings which once dominated Lagos Island and now are now being torn down. This project will move as quickly as possible to protect them, share the process and create a place for collaboration for the public and those actively working on cultural preservation and history.

This Project Has Three Main Components:

Capturing the Wisdom of Elders

The project seeks to capture the voices and stories of the Aguda descendants who have lived through the legacy of their ancestors. These interviews with elders provide invaluable insight into the Aguda’s history, cultural practices, and wisdom, passing knowledge to future generations. The wisdom captured will help preserve a crucial aspect of Aguda culture that has often been suppressed or forgotten.

Intergenerational Conversations

We aim to foster a deep dialogue between generations, encouraging the exchange of cultural knowledge between the elders and younger Aguda descendants. These conversations will explore themes of identity, resilience, and cultural continuity, ensuring the legacy of the Aguda people is preserved and enriched through time. In addition, we will employ blockchain technology to support global research sharing and create a transparent platform for the ongoing preservation of these stories.

Global Creative Celebration

The project celebrates the Aguda’s contributions to global culture, particularly in architecture, art, and spirituality. We plan to create immersive experiences and digital installations that highlight the Aguda’s artistic practices, blending technology with traditional cultural expressions. This global celebration will be showcased through events, installations and happenings honoring the Aguda’s innovative cultural legacy while inviting worldwide engagement and conversation.

Global Creative Celebration