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A princess, an enslaved woman and a nun

Who was she?

Teresa Juliana of Saint Dominic, born Chikaba around 1676 in the Gulf of Guinea, came from an African noble family. Captured as a child and taken to Spain, she lived in Madrid in the service of the Marquesses of Mancera.

Religious vocation

After gaining her freedom, she followed her religious vocation. Having been turned away by other convents because of her origins and status, she was welcomed into the convent of Santa María Magdalena de la Penitencia in Salamanca, where she took her vows as a Dominican. She devoted her life to prayer, service and caring for the sick.

Traces of her history

Objects and places connected with Sister Teresa’s memory, documented by the Order of Preachers.

Shoe attributed to Sister Teresa Chikaba, preserved as a historical object
Sister Teresa Chikaba’s shoe · Photo: Dominicans.
Tomb of Sister Teresa Chikaba at Las Dueñas Monastery in Salamanca
Tomb at Las Dueñas Monastery · Photo: Dominicans.
Handwritten letter relating to Sister Teresa Chikaba
Sister Teresa’s handwritten letter · Photo: Dominicans.

A journey between Africa and Salamanca

  1. Gulf of Guinea The Gulf of Guinea, where she was born around 1676.
  2. Madrid Where she lived in the service of the Marquesses of Mancera.
  3. Salamanca Where she took her vows as a Dominican and where her relics are preserved.
"Her life is a testament to dignity in the face of adversity and to faith without borders."
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