Note from BW of Brazil: Yesterday was November 20th, Brazil’s National Day of Black Consciousness, and displays of Afro-Brazilian culture were vibrant throughout the country in the various cultural performances and marches. In the brief write up and photos below, we see the view from the northeastern state of Alagoas.
Alagoas celebrates the Day of Black Consciousness with cultural activities
Celebration takes place at the Parque Memorial Quilombo dos Palmares (Quilombo dos Palmares Memorial Park), in the Serra da Barriga, starting at 4pm, with extensive programming
By Valéria Guimarães
The program of the National Day of Black Consciousness, which takes place on Thursday – November 20 – promoted by the Fundação Cultural Palmares (Palmares Cultural Foundation), with support from the Government of Alagoas and in partnership with the City Hall of União dos Palmares, includes cultural activities, lectures, competitions, social projects and the unveiling of a new statue of the hero Zumbi. Religious followers of African origin also climb the Serra da Barriga on Thursday and participated in special ceremonies.
In Alagoas, traditionally the celebration of the National Day of Black Consciousness in the Quilombo dos Palmares National Park, in the Serra da Barriga, located in União dos Palmares, brings together hundreds from the state and visitors.
The date that was celebrated only in some states had this year appreciation and highlight with the enactment of Federal Law No. 12.519, which established the National Day of Zumbi and Black Consciousness, which is officially celebrated nationwide on November 20th.
Programming
Programming in Serra da Barriga will open at 4pm with a ceremony honoring the ancestors of the Religious followers of African Matrix, about 300 religious followers coming from Maceió and União dos Palmares. At 8am there will be reverence to African ancestors (Iségún Káwójuba) and a procession with 80 local yalorixas, opening the Visitation of the Quilombo dos Palmares Memorial Park. At 9am there will be Afro-Brazilian degustation (breakfast with 300 authorities and babalorixás and yalorixas) at the Park restaurant.
The program continues at 10am with homage to Zumbi, with the laying of the wreath and-gun salute followed by Artistic, Cultural and Dance of the Orixás presentation. At noon the Afro-Brazilian degustation of Afro-Brazilian cuisine will take place in the park’s restaurant and between 1pm and 5pm the presentations from local cultural groups.
Source: Agência Alagoas
Awesome!