Benin offers citizenship to descendants of enslaved Africans sparking interest in Brazil
João Diamante was gripped by a sense of belonging as he stepped out of the airport terminal thousands of miles from his birthplace in Brazil.
"The first thing I felt was that I was at home," recalled the 33-year-old celebrity chef from Rio. "Nobody looked at me like they were afraid of me because of the colour of my skin ... On the contrary, I saw people just like me. I saw similarities."
Diving into his experience, Diamante noted, "I'd never been there before," reflecting on his arrival in Benin's largest city, Cotonou, last year. "But I was certain this was a place I knew: its smell, its music, its dance, its sound, the noise of car horns, the atmosphere."
Born in Salvador, Brazil, a city with a significant Black population and rich Afro-Brazilian culture, Diamante grew up studying the roots of his heritage. He believes his ancestors were forcibly brought to Brazil from the west African region now known as the Republic of Benin during the 19th century. Today, he seeks to reconnect with his lineage, aiming to obtain citizenship in Benin under a new law offering Afro-descendants pathways to citizenship.
"I'm already trying to work out the paperwork ... I want a Brazilian passport and a Beninese passport," he expressed during an interview in his Rio restaurant, Pequena África (Little Africa). "It's about belonging, about who I am, where I come from, my lineage and my family," Diamante added, noting his dream of a Beninese passport as a symbolic link to his roots.
Benin's citizenship initiative, introduced by President Patrice Talon and approved by lawmakers in October, is framed as a means to heal "deep wounds" caused by centuries of enslavement. The qualification criteria allow any individual globally with sub-Saharan African ancestry who was deported during slavery to apply for citizenship, effectively recognising Benin as their "homeland".
The law has drawn particular attention in Brazil due to its historical ties, with an estimated 40% of enslaved Africans shipped across the Atlantic arriving there between the 16th and 19th centuries.
Marcelo Sacramento, Benin's honorary consul in Salvador, highlighted the strong bond between the two nations, stating, "More than a million Beninese came to Bahia during the days of slavery ... Just think what that means [in terms of today's population]."
While the Beninese government does not expect a mass migration following the new law, the initiative seeks to encourage the African diaspora's connection to the continent and increase tourism. There are plans to establish a low-cost flight between Salvador and Cotonou to enhance accessibility.
This is not the first instance in Africa of offering citizenship to descendants of enslaved people. Ghana has initiated similar programmes, promoting a cultural and historical reconnection.
To obtain citizenship in Benin, applicants must provide documentation proving their ancestry and may also be required to undergo DNA testing, a method of verification that some experts critique.
Dive into the emotional aspect, Diamante shared his journey through Benin, which included visiting The Door of No Return, a memorial for those enslaved and shipped to the Americas. "It was devastating ... We were shamelessly pillaged ... it was one of the cruelest things humanity could have done," he reflected.
Following the acquisition of Beninese citizenship, Diamante dreams of operating a restaurant in Benin, continuing to honour the culture and history that shape his identity today.
