The average life span of a male slave after arriving in Brazil was only ten years. For Brazilian slave owners, it was cheaper to work a slave to death and replace him than to treat him properly. Bahia Today, the population of Brazil is about forty-five per cent African Brazilian. Because it was the location of numerous sugarcane plantations, the state of Bahia is home to many African Brazilians. Located in the northeast part of the country, Bahia s capitol is the coastal city of Salvador, population 2.1 million.
Bahian cooks continue the tradition of pot cookery they brought from West Africa.
Vatap , a popular Bahian fish stew, is an example of the spicy, exotic flavors enjoyed by African Brazilians. Vatap includes a blend of African and European ingredients combined with native seafood. It gets its exotic flavor from pureed dried shrimp, a common ingredient in Bahian cooking. Dried shrimp is available locally in Asian and Latin markets. I purchased it at the Oriental Pantry on Whitney Avenue in New Haven.