Perhaps it’s time we confront a difficult chapter in Lisbon’s past standing here before the BZa Sta Ma Plaque. This seemingly simple marker actually holds a profound story. It speaks of Portugal’s involvement in the transatlantic slave trade. Many might associate Portugal with its Age of Discovery. However, there’s a darker side. This plaque is one of twenty recently installed across Lisbon. They are a rare step toward acknowledging this sombre role.
The BZa Sta Ma Plaque is not just a historical marker. It’s a memorial to those whose stories were long suppressed. The plaques recount the story of “African Lisbon”. This highlights the period from the 15th to the 19th centuries. During that time Portuguese ships carried about six million Africans across the Atlantic. Most of them were sold into slavery in Brazil.
For many years Portugal’s colonial history has been a source of pride. Yet its role as a slave-trading hub has been overshadowed. It has been overshadowed by the nation’s maritime achievements. The BZa Sta Ma Plaque and others like it help to set the record straight. They are helping to bring awareness to a previously ignored history.
The plaques were created by Batoto Yetu Portugal. This organisation promotes African culture and heritage. The BZa Sta Ma Plaque and its counterparts serve as a reminder of this erased population. The people commemorated on these plaques lived and died in Lisbon. Sadly, most were buried in mass graves.
Lisbon is also working on its first memorial to victims of slavery. This shows a growing commitment to remembering and acknowledging the past. So while we stand here let’s remember the individuals represented by the BZa Sta Ma Plaque. Their stories are essential to understanding Lisbon’s full history.