The article delves into the heritage of slavery in the Sagres Promontory, located in Lagos, Portugal, emphasising the need for a critical examination of this historical period. It explores the concept of heritage as a global phenomenon, shedding light on its role in shaping cultural identities and narratives. Geopolitical perspectives are considered, along with Edward Said’s notion of imaginative geographies, to understand how heritage sites are constructed and interpreted. The article underscores the significance of preserving and reevaluating this heritage site as a place for reflection and learning.
Moreover, it critiques the traditional presentation of heritage sites and calls for a more comprehensive and inclusive approach that integrates diverse cultural perspectives and memories. The authors advocate for a deeper understanding of the flows of cultural influences and the negotiation of representations associated with newly discovered heritage sites. They also touch upon the impact of tourism on heritage consumption, highlighting the quest for authentic historical narratives by travelers. The article suggests that the writing of history should challenge power dynamics and examine how they shape historical narratives.
In conclusion, the authors propose the establishment of a museum as a means to materialize and engage with the history of slavery, emphasising the dual role of museums as sites of memory and forgetting. They advocate for a process of mental and epistemological decolonisation to deconstruct existing narratives and create more inclusive and human-centered representations of heritage.
