Musée Da-Silva, History museum in Porto-Novo, Benin.
The Musée Da-Silva is housed in a building from 1890 with eight pillars supporting its structure. Inside, it displays antique furniture, photographs of prominent figures, family memorabilia, and various historical objects spanning different periods.
The museum documents the return of Afro-Brazilians to Benin following slavery abolition, showing how they built successful merchant and business enterprises. Their story reveals how a displaced population established economic prosperity in their ancestral land.
The entrance hall features traditional Beninese deity statues such as Zangbeto and Egougoun, reflecting local spiritual beliefs and practices. These figures offer visitors insight into the religious traditions that continue to shape life in the region.
The museum is straightforward to navigate with three main sections covering different themes, requiring no complicated orientation. It is best to allow enough time to examine the objects and read the stories behind them.
The collection includes the first handmade motorcycle and the first Rolls Royce that operated in Benin. These vehicles demonstrate the wealth and advancement that the returnee community achieved.
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