History

The area became known as Little Africa following the outlaw of the slave trade in Brazil in 1831 (though the abolition of slavery outright would not come for another 50 years.) Beetween 1850 and 1920 freed slaves remained working in the area, and blacks and freed Africans from Bahia or the interior traveled to Little Africa in search of work and sense of community. 

The area often welcomed blacks from all over the country with open arms. Houses, places to eat, to gather and practice African religions were stablished throughout the area.