Nagos

Quick Facts: Who was Nagos?

Subject:

Nagos

Known for:

The term for Brazilian Yoruba people, encompassing culture, myth, and cosmology.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The word Nagos refers to all Brazilian Yoruba people, their African descendants, Yoruba myth, ritual, and cosmological patterns. Nagos derives from the word anago, a term Fon-speaking people used to describe Yoruba-speaking people from the kingdom of Ketu, Toward the end of the slave trade in the 1880s, the Nagos stood out as the African group most often shipped to Brazil. The Nagos were important to the history of the slave trade at that time in the 19th century, as Brazil requested more enslaved persons as demand for products from this region grew and harsh conditions on plantations entailed a high turnover. This particular group of Africans comprises the largest ethnic group in Brazil, with much influence since it was the most recent group to immigrate to Brazil, and Brazilian-African enslaved persons greatly helped the Brazilian economy. High demand for labor in plantations led Brazil to import enslaved persons of the Nagos tribe.

Career & Major Achievements

In colonial times, Brazilian enslaved persons, given their low status and poor prospects, could expect only to work until they died. African culture, however, was passed on through religion and cultural practices, and has influenced other peoples in Brazil. The Nagos were forced to occupy the lowest status ranking in Latin America and adapted. One of the most important cultural aspects to be discovered in Brazil is the Yoruba religion. This African religion has survived since slavery, and today a large portion of Brazil's population still practices and upholds it.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Enslaved people from Africa were cheaper than those from Europe, which may explain why the Portuguese used Africans to fuel the new economies in Latin America. The common slave received minimal respect. The understanding between master and slave had far less cost in reciprocal obligations than any other labor group in society. This created a schism or struggle for resources in social exchange. Slaves did not control their lives like the average, higher-class citizen and were distinguished from all other classes throughout societyby kinship, family, and community duties.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Nagos

True or False: “Did the African Slave Trade begin in Latin America?”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The text states that the African Slave Trade did not start in Latin America but was adopted in Europe by Pope Nicholas V in 1455.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Nagos