ABSTRACT
The aim of this chapter is to present contemporary interpretations of colonialism and its repercussions in Portugal, focusing primarily on the perspective of Afrodescendants – descendants of Africans from former Portuguese colonies 1 – who constitute a significant part of modern Portuguese society. The analysis is situated within the broader context of the ambivalent or contested African legacy in Portugal, viewed through a postcolonial lens. Additionally, the chapter considers the presence of African cultures in Portugal and the contributions of Africans to the formation and development of Portuguese society. This topic seems relevant in the context of broader reflections on the Mediterranean region and the “Atlantic” part of Europe, taking into account the role of Africans (including from sub-Sharian region) and Afrodescendants for the growth of these areas and their multicultural character.
