Maison du Brésil, Colonial museum in Ouidah, Benin
The Maison du Brésil is a two-story building housed in a restored Portuguese colonial structure with exhibits from the period of the slave trade. The collection includes trade records, photographs, and household items that document the presence of Brazilian families.
The building was constructed in 1930, at a time when the city had already been home to Afro-Brazilian families for more than a century. These families had settled after returning from Brazil during the 1800s.
The rooms display personal items and trade goods that reveal the deep connection between West African and Brazilian families who lived here. These objects show how this bond shaped daily life and craft traditions that still influence Ouidah today.
The museum is easy to reach on foot from the old town center and sits along a main street. Plan to visit early in the day since lighting in the upper rooms is limited.
Some rooms preserve original furniture and personal possessions that reveal how merchants shaped the city's architecture. These furnishings offer a rare glimpse into the wealth and tastes of these traders.
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