The Fanti Carnival celebrates the heritage of transatlantic slave trade returnees

NPR | By Emmanuel Akinwotu

Published April 7, 2026 at 5:12 PM EDT

Lagos bursts into color as the vibrant Lagos Fanti Carnival celebrates the Afro-Brazilian heritage of the "Aguda," formerly enslaved people who returned from Brazil in the 19th century.

Emmanuel Akinwotu

Emmanuel Akinwotu is an international correspondent for NPR. He joined NPR in 2022 from The Guardian, where he was West Africa correspondent.

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