Brazilian envoy unveils ‘Males’ movie, recalls historic Hausa-Fulani revolt that shaped Brazilian culture

By KEMI KASUMU

…how the Hausa and Fulani people featured in a major revolt against slavery in 19th-century Brazil, and why he believes their historical contribution to Brazilian culture deserves greater recognition.

The Consul General of Brazil in Lagos, Ambassador Ronaldo Vieira, has shed light on the historical and cultural ties between Nigeria and Brazil, the story of the historic Males revolt involving enslaved Hausa and Fulani people in Brazil, and the need to translate the countries’ shared heritage into stronger economic relations.

Vieira said this in an exclusive interview with The DEFENDER, in his office in Lagos on Monday October 5, 2026, during which he explained why the Brazilian movie Males is significant to Nigeria, how the Hausa and Fulani people featured in a major revolt against slavery in 19th-century Brazil, and why he believes their historical contribution to Brazilian culture deserves greater recognition.

The envoy also speaks on misconceptions about Nigeria in Brazil, the need for Nigerians and Brazilians to better understand each other’s cultures, and his efforts to connect the Brazilian film industry with Nigeria’s Nollywood.

He reveals plans to facilitate the presentation of the Males movie to Nigerian traditional rulers and its possible cinema release in Nigeria, while also urging Nigerians to engage more with Brazil’s large Black population.

For Vieira, the objective goes beyond culture and history: “The interest is not only money. The interest is culture. That is why I believe that culture is the entrance door for sustainable trade and investment.”

Detailed interview to be published on Friday October 9, 2026