Afro Rio

18/07/2024

What do you think?

11/07/2024

Story Time:
In the heart of Salvador, Bahia, where the rhythms of samba and the scents of acarajé filled the air, lived a beautiful Brazilian woman named Aline. Her presence was as captivating as the vibrant murals that adorned the city's walls, each brushstroke reflecting the soul of her heritage.

Aline's beauty was not just in her physical appearance but in her spirit. Her skin, a deep and rich brown, glowed in the sun, and her eyes, dark and expressive, told stories of resilience and joy. She had inherited her grandmother's thick, curly hair, which she wore proudly, climbing toward the sky like a crown.

Aline was a storyteller. Every evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, she would sit on the steps of her family's home, surrounded by children from the neighborhood. With her rich velvety voice, she would weave tales of ancient orixás and brave quilombolas who fought for freedom. Her stories were a bridge to the past, a way to keep their culture alive in a world that often tried to forget.

One day, Aline received a letter from a local artist, João, who had been captivated by her presence. He had once seen her dancing at a festival – her movements a fluid dance of tradition and passion. João wanted to paint her, to capture the essence of her beauty and strength on canvas.

Flattered but curious, Aline agreed. Over the weeks that followed, she spent hours in João's studio, sharing stories and learning about his art. As João painted, he found himself inspired not just by Aline's physical beauty, but by her spirit, her stories, and her unwavering pride in her heritage.

When the painting was finally unveiled, it was more than a portrait. It was a tribute to the beauty and resilience of Black Brazilian women, a testament to their enduring strength and grace. The entire community came to see it, and Aline, standing before the canvas, felt a deep sense of pride and fulfillment.

Through João's art and Aline's stories, a powerful message was conveyed: the beauty of a person lies not only in their appearance but in their spirit, their heritage, and their ability to inspire others.

14/02/2021

LINK IN BIO

I wrote something that is really close to my heart about Carnival. I wrote about how Black Brazilians created samba schools and how their will resistance will bring back an even stronger Carnival next year.

Carnaval is Brazil's greatest cultural export, and it's been built primarily on the backs of Black Brazilians. They formed samba schools, which are actually organizations tied to physical communities, just 30 years after the end of slavery in 1888, when they had no wealth, no education, and were not allowed to own property. Coming together as a community, Black Brazilians used their African heritage and Afro-Brazilian faith to create the samba music, dance, and pageantry of Carnaval, which is synonymous with Brazilian culture the world over.

But there will be no Carnaval in 2021. These same schools, which are made up of thousands of people who work all year long to produce the parade, are facing one of the greatest tests of their health and viability—the coronavirus pandemic

26/01/2021

The days of travel black influencers showing off in the world's most beautiful locations might be over.

When travel returns, something tells me we will be more invested in the people and culture of destinations.

Also, will people be traveling as much as before?

What do you think?

22/01/2021

Rio just threw the towel in. There will NOT be an official carnival in Rio this year.

What do you think about this?

18/01/2021

Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King never visit Brazil, unfortunately. In fact, even if he had tried, it's unlikely that they would have allowed him into the country. For decades, Brazilian authorities prevented the entrance of Civil Rights leaders into the country.

W.E.B. DuBois famously wrote a letter to the American embassy asking why he could not gain entrance into Brazil.

But I still wanted to pay homage to Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King in a Brazilian way.

I found this mural by , a Brazilian artist known for his colorful murals. This mural is in Palm Beach.

11/01/2021

This video captures the essence of Salvador & Rio in one video!

shows off his samba a pé in the middle of Pelourinho in Salvador.

Most people don't know this but the people in Rio dance samba much different than the people in Rio.

In this video is showing off his samba school dance moves to a Salvador beat.

04/09/2020

One of my favorite musas, , just gave birth to a baby girl! Iolanda!

This video is in homage to her because she was still moving just weeks ago!

I'm so happy for you and wish you even greater success as a mother!

01/09/2020

One of my favorite artists in Rio is because he creates street art that reflects what is going on with the world.

I could literally do a tour of his work in Rio and it would tell you the story of the city the last five years!

He painted this mural of Chadwick Boseman in Lapa in Rio. @ Lapa, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

20/07/2020

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/16/magazine/syrian-refugee-war-netherlands.html

Suhair had to decide whether leaving Syria was worth risking her children’s lives. Now she is coming to terms with the opportunities and costs of her decision.

27/02/2020

Brazil’s Samba School Carnival is one of the best teachers of Black Brazil history. This year’s winning school, Viradouro, told the story of Black Washerwomen from Itapuã in Salvador. Check out the pics of this amazing SAMBA SCHOOL PARADE!⁠
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The Ganhadeiras of Itapuã are living history, a cultural reference called by this name in honor of the women who, from the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century, did “wash of gain” (washing clothes) or left their homes with their baskets, on foot, to sell fish and delicacies around the city and make a living for the family.⁠
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@ Sambódromo da Marquês de Sapucaí

22/02/2020

Ready for carnival?!





@ Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro

22/02/2020

Ready for carnival!

22/02/2020

FINALLY! EVERYTHING BLACKISH & AFRO in Rio de Janeiro's Carnival!

Enjoy!!!!

@ Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro

15/02/2020

T is for Tia Ciatá. ⁠
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Tia means auntie in Portuguese. The most well-known Tia in Brazil is Tia Ciatá. Without her Brazil wouldn’t have samba music. ⁠
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Tia Ciata, born Hilária Batista de Almeida (1854-1924) was a cook, mãe-de-santo of Candomblé, and an influential figure in the development of samba.[1][2] She was born in Santo Amaro, Bahia, and initiated in Candomblé in Salvador . She was a devotee of deity Oshun and became the iyakekerê, or second most important leader, in the terreiro of João Alabá in Rio de Janeiro. ⁠
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Tia Ciata arrived in Rio de Janeiro in 1876 at the age of 22 and worked as a vendor at a food stall.[2] She lived on Rua Visconde de Itauna in the neighborhood of Praça Onze (now Cidade Nova), an area which became known as "Pequena África", or Little Africa. It was here that Tia Ciata became one of the main progenitors of Afro-Brazilian culture of early favelas of Rio de Janeiro. Samba musicians, composers, and dancers regularly gathered in her home; her residence may be one of the birthplaces of the genre. The first samba recording, Pelo Telefone, a composition by Donga (Ernesto Joaquim Maria dos Santos) and Mauro de Almeida, was recorded in the residence. Tia Ciata was honored annually at the Rio Carnival until her death in Rio de Janeiro in 1924.⁠
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Today, Tia Ciata’s great-granddaughter, Gracy Mary Moreira, honors her every year during Carnival with the Batuke de Tia Cita! This event takes place today at 2pm near Pedra de Sal! Don’t miss it. Also please check out the Tia Ciata cultural center, which offers great classes in jongo!⁠
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@ Pequena África, Rio de Janeiro, RJ

15/02/2020

R is for Rainha - Queen in Portuguese. ⁠⠀
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We’re paying homage to some amazing black queens of the drum corps in this post!⁠⠀
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One of the most important and visible positions in a samba school is the RAINHA DA BATERIA—the woman who parades in front of the drum corps. The queen of the bateria only became a standard position in samba school in the 1980s when television began to broadcast the parade around the world because she is the most photographed individual person in the parade. Her job isn’t simple. In addition to dancing samba well, she must help maintain the pride of her entire school at practices, events and etc. Overtime, this position has become extremely coveted in the elite schools. ⁠⠀
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Ideally the Rainha de Bateria is a woman who has samba in her blood and also has a strong connection to the community that the samba school represents (which is usually a favela). When a samba school chooses this type of Rainha to represent the school, she is almost always black, having grown up in the local community. These women represent their schools well. I absolutely love Mangueira’s and Portela’s . My own school used to be represented well by , one of the best samba dancers in Rio.⁠⠀
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Since this position is quite coveted, schools can now make MONEY selling the position to a woman whose dream is to be RAINHA. Most of the time this woman is a white woman who can afford it (because that is how economics works in Brazil). But even black women have been “celebrity" queens - actresses and represented their schools well. will be the queen of Imperatriz this year. ⁠⠀
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Like everything in Brazil, it’s complicated! ⁠⠀
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We’re paying homage to some amazing black queens of the drum corp! ⁠⠀
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@ Sambódromo da Marquês de Sapucaí

04/02/2020

We got 19 days until Carnival starts in Brazil. That means that this profile will become exclusively dedicated to this annual celebration. And you KNOW we will be focusing on the black and African heritage of this festival. You will learn how black people in Rio de Janeiro literally created the world’s most celebrated Carnival celebration.

I present to you with some images from last year’s Rio Carnival parade, one of the blackest parades in a looooong time.



@ Sambódromo da Marquês de Sapucaí

02/02/2020

On February 1, 2020, Google paid homage to Black Brazilian scholar & activist Lélia Gonzalez on the 85th anniversary of her birthday.

In this video I explain her life and accomplishments!

Please sign up for my email list: On February 1, 2020, Google paid homage to Black Brazilian scholar & activist Lélia Gonzalez on they 85th anniversary of he...

06/01/2020

Great article on quilombos by Kat Amina!

On the “toxic tour,” our boat circles oil tanks like a shark to prey as a megaphone echoes Paraguassu’s testimony on Petrobras’ history of abuse and manipulation of the community. Even participants assisted by a strained translator listen intently to her words. There’s a revolutionary quality to the authority and precision in her voice.

The descendants of escaped slaves are claiming their stake against big corporations

01/01/2020

Happy New Year from Rio....

29/12/2019

This is why Brazilians wear white on New Year's Eve....

28/12/2019

Please don't do these things!

28/12/2019

Please don't make these mistakes.

27/12/2019

Over the next four days, Rio will celebrate Pre-Reveillon - those days where you party your heart out before THE party. Below I’ve compiled a list of what parties I would go to… ⁠⠀
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✅12/27 Awure - It’s ancestry + spirituality+ samba.🔹Time: 6pm to 11pm 🔹Get there by: Whenever… Music will start by 8 🔹Cost: Entry $R20, beer R$10, Caipi R$30 🔹Uber Address: Selina, Lapa ⁠⠀
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✅12/27 Cha de Alice w/Ludmille & Pablo Vittar - You probably haven’t heard of their music but I f*x with Ludmilla & Pablo. 🔹Time: 10pm to 5am GTB: Midnight 🔹 Cost R$100 (half off if you bring a bag of beans) 🔹Uber Address: Fundição Progresso, Rua dos Arcos, Lapa⁠⠀
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✅12/28 No this isn’t a “black” event but it’s the perfect pre-party to a loooong Saturday night of “blackness.” 🔹Time: 5pm until 2am 🔹GTB: Whenever 🔹Cost: Free to get in. 2 for 1 Tequila Shots 🔹Uber addy: Blue Agave, Ipanema⁠⠀
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✅12/28 Mangueira Pre-Reveillon - It’s the best samba school pre-NYE party every year. DON’T MISS IT! 🔹Time: 9pm to 4am 🔹GTB: 11pm (no later!) 🔹Cost R$ 50 🔹 Uber: GRES Escola de Samba Mangueira, Mangueira ⁠⠀
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✅12/28 Salgueiro Pre-Reveillon - Salgueiro will have a show by Tatau, an amazing Axé singer! 🔹Time: 8:30am to 4am 🔹 GTB: 10pm 🔹Cost R$50 🔹 Uber: Academicos de Salgueiro, Rua Silva Téles, Andarai⁠⠀
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✅12/28 Baile Charme Madureira - It’s R&B line dancing. This is a famous party in Rio’s black neighborhood that will be popping. 🔹Time: 11pm to 5am 🔹 GTB: 2am 🔹 Cost R$15 🔹 Uber: Viaduto Madureira ⁠⠀
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✅12/29 - Just take YO BEHIND TO THE BEACH! ⁠⠀
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✅12/29 - After the beach, drag your behind to this samba party by the great samba band in Rio! 🔹Time: 5pm to 3am 🔹 GTB: Whenever 🔹 Cost R$15 🔹 Uber: Quadra Fala Meu Louro, R. Waldemar Dutra, 19, Santa Cristo ⁠⠀
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✅12/30 - Renascenca Clube - The Worker’s Day samba is a MUST! Perfect start to a long MONDAY. 🔹Time: 3pm to 9pm 🔹 Get there by: 5pm 🔹 Cost: R$50 by $R25 for first 1000 🔹 Uber: Clube Renascenca, Rua Barão de Francisco, Andaraí⁠⠀
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✅12/30 - Pedra do Sal - A Roda de Samba that turns into a neighborhood party. See you there! 🔹 Time: 6pm until 5am 🔹 GTB: 9pm for the Samba, whenever for the party 🔹Cost: FREE 🔹Uber: @ Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro

09/12/2019

To understand the Black Brazilian resistance against slavery, racism, and capitalism, you MUST understand the word QUILOMBO.

This is the most important word in BLACK BRAZIL.

In my newest YouTube video, I break down this word, so YOU can understand it and even use it your own vocabulary.

In this video, I break down the word Quilombo. In my opinion, Quilombo is the most important word in Afro-Brazilian culture and history. The word represents ...

30/11/2019

Just in time for the end of November...

Did you know that November is Black Consciousness month in Brazil? For Afro-Brazilians, November is a month where they reflect on how their ancestors survived 350 years of slavery and devise strategies to continue their resistance against racism. It’s commonly known as Mês de Consciencia Negra, Black Consciousness Month, or November Negro, Black November.

I’ve spent the last four years celebrating Black Consciousness month in Brazil and I’ve come to cherish it even more my own country’s black history month. Let me explain to you why...

Did you know that November is Black Consciousness month in Brazil? For Afro-Brazilians, November is a month where they reflect on how their ancestors survive...

26/11/2019

Please don’t make these mistakes when you come to Rio de Janeiro for NYE! Follow my advice and you will be ALL GOOD!

Please don’t make these mistakes when you come to Rio de Janeiro for NYE! Follow my advice and you will be ALL GOOD! ****************************************...

13/11/2019

Some articles really take a lot out of me, especially when I least expect it. This was one of those articles where I really had to educate myself about an entire genre of music and culture that I had no connection with.

I happy that I learned so much about it and now I'm sharing it with you. But disappointed that once again an element of black Brazilian culture is being criminalized.

With his 'Baile de Gaiola' party and 150 BPM sound, Rennan Santos da Silva reclaimed the music of the Rio favelas and became a superstar. Brazil's government couldn't handle that.

With his 'Baile de Gaiola' party and 150 BPM sound, Rennan Santos da Silva reclaimed the music of the Rio favelas and became a superstar. Brazil's government couldn't handle that.

12/11/2019

Do you know how to samba no pé? This is the samba that passistas dance during carnival. ⁠
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The kids in this video are KILLING it! is a project that helps develop young samba talents. ⁠
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Do you see the differences in style between the four girls in this video? Which dancer was your favorite?⁠
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One day, I will samba like this. One day. ⁠
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Congratulations .oficial and Washignton Silva. ⁠
Realização: and

29/10/2019

AFROPUNK November 19-20 in São Paulo!

AFROPUNK & Feira Preta anunciam a festa "Black to the Future". Nos dias 19 e 20 Novembro, nós estaremos em São Paulo na celebração do Dia da Consciência Negra! Junte-se a nós no festival mais antigo e Negro que o Brasil já viu. Link para ingressos na bio.



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AFROPUNK & Feira Preta announce "Black to the Future". November 19th & 20th, we are coming to São Paulo for Black Awareness Day celebration! Join us in the for the oldest and Blackest festival Brazil has seen. Link in bio for tickets