Institute of Research and New Black Memory

Institute of Research and New Black Memory

The Instituto de Pesquisa e Memória Pretos Novos (Institute of Research and New Black Memory), or IPN, is a profoundly significant institution in Rio de Janeiro. Located in the Gamboa neighborhood, it stands on the site of one of the largest mass graves of enslaved Africans in the Americas. The institute serves as both a museum and a research center, dedicated to preserving and honoring the memory of those who died shortly after arriving from Africa.

The institute’s origin is tied to a shocking discovery in 1996. While a family was renovating their home, construction workers unearthed human remains. What they found was the Cemitério dos Pretos Novos (Cemetery of the New Blacks), a burial ground used between 1769 and 1830 for enslaved people who died soon after their brutal transatlantic journey. Historians estimate that between 20,000 and 30,000 individuals, many of them children and adolescents, were discarded here without dignified burial.

The Guimarães family, who owned the property, chose to preserve the site rather than redevelop it. In 2005, they officially opened the IPN to the public. The institute’s mission is to promote reflection on slavery and its legacy, as well as to celebrate and disseminate Afro-Brazilian culture. It is a powerful place of memory and resistance that is a key part of Rio’s Circuit of African Heritage.

Visitors to the IPN can explore the archaeological site and see a permanent exhibition that showcases findings from the excavations, including bones, artifacts, and personal items. The exhibit provides a poignant look at the lives of those who perished, highlighting the horrific conditions they endured. The institute also features a contemporary art gallery with works by Afro-Brazilian artists, a library specializing in African and Afro-Brazilian culture, and a café.

The institute’s approach is unique as it uses the physical site as a tool for education and remembrance. The experience is deeply moving and provides a crucial historical context that is essential for understanding the foundations of Brazilian society. The IPN encourages visitors to book an appointment, especially for larger groups.