LUANDA: The President of the United States, Joe Biden, arrived at the National Slavery Museum in Luanda on Tuesday to explore the significant historical site. The museum, located in Morro da Cruz in the municipality of Belas, stands as a vital cultural heritage site in Angola, dedicated to commemorating 500 years of slavery that affected Angolans.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the museum was established in 1977 by the National Institute of Cultural Heritage and seeks to educate visitors about the history of slavery in Angola. It houses an extensive information system and a collection of artifacts that offer insights into the long and challenging history of slavery in the region. The museum itself is a 17th-century temple, historically used for baptizing slaves before they were shipped to the American continent.
The property, once owned by Dom Álvaro de Carvalho Matoso, a noted figure in the slave trade during the 18th century, was key in the history of the slave trade on the African coast. The trad
e at this site ceased in 1836 following a decree by Dona Maria II of Portugal that banned the export of slaves from Portuguese colonies.
Biden, who has been on a state visit to Angola since Monday, was welcomed with military honors and greeted by Angolan President João Lourenço at the Palácio da Cidade Alta before a private meeting. This marks the first official visit by a US president to Angola, aiming to bolster the strategic ties between the two nations.
