Luanda’s Slavery Museum Confronts Angola’s Role in Slave Trade

Angola’s National Museum of Slavery in Luanda preserves the history of the country’s role in the transatlantic slave trade. Founded in 1977, the museum occupies the former Capela da Casa Grande, a 17th-century chapel built on the grounds of a slave-trading complex, where captives were baptized before they were forcibly transported to the Americas. The museum’s collection includes chains, shackles, weapons, coins, religious objects, and historical documents that illustrate how the slave trade operated. Its exhibits also highlight the importance of Luanda and Benguela as major departure points for enslaved people sent to Portuguese colonies, particularly Brazil. Beyond preserving artifacts, the museum underscores the enduring historical connections between Angola, Portugal, and Brazil.