Afro-Brazilian Cultural Heritage in Nigeria: Mapping Contemporary Practices of Commemoration and Initiatives Toward Future Preservation

This paper explores the contemporary practices and initiatives established by the community of Nigerians of Afro-Brazilian origin with particular attention to how their cultural heritage intersects with the notion of cultural memory, different practices of commemoration and hybrid identity. Based on fieldwork research in southern part of Nigeria, Lagos in particular, I argue that there are three areas of action proposed by the representatives of Afro-Brazilians in Nigeria. They are as follows: 1. The necessity for mapping architectural manifestations of local and collective memory; 2. The initiation and execution of memorial practices as contemporary cultural activities; 3. The strengthening of institutional, commercial and international interactions. This analysis contributes to a nuanced understanding of cultural practices or spaces within multicultural societies in Nigeria.