The Portuguese refers to the people from Portugal, a country in Europe. In the context of colonialism, it specifically refers to the explorers and colonizers from Portugal who ventured into Africa.
Related terms
Explorers: Individuals who travel to unknown places in order to discover and learn about them.
Colonization: The process by which one country establishes control over another region or country for political, economic, or social purposes.
Trade: The exchange of goods or services between individuals, communities, or countries for mutual benefit.