User:SuperSwift/sandbox
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Background
The Victorian era (1861-1901) in Lagos, was when new influences such as western education, fashion, values, religion and architecture infiltrated the Lagos society, marking the beginning of an evolved urban life in the city. During this period, Lagos became a hub of repatriation for ex-slaves from Sierra Leone, Cuba and Brazil, remembering Lagos as their point of departure. During this era, Lagos was transformed by two primary groups of repatriates—liberated Africans and former slaves who returned from the Atlantic basin. These groups were instrumental in establishing a cosmopolitan "creole" culture and defining the intellectual and social landscape of the colony.[1][2]
Primary repartriates group
The Saro (Sierra Leonean Returnees)
The Saro are Sierra Leonean returnees, primarily of Yoruba descent. These were the "re-captives" rescued from slave ships by the British Royal Navy and resettled in Sierra Leone before migrating back to Lagos. As products of formal Western education and Christian missionary influence, they formed the core of the pioneer professional class in medicine, law, education, and journalism. They were British subjects with full legal rights and often served as intermediaries between the colonial administration and the indigenous population.[3]
The Amaro or Aguda (Brazilian and Cuban Returnees)
The Amaro or Aguda are former slaves and their descendants who returned from Brazil and Cuba, especially after the 1835 Malê revolt and the 1888 abolition of slavery in Brazil. Renowned for their technical skills, they were the master builders, masons, carpenters, and artisans of Lagos. They introduced Roman Catholicism and the distinct Brazilian architectural style, characterized by ornate facades and floral motifs, which can still be seen in the "Brazilian Quarter" of Lagos Island.[4] [5]