After historic parade in Campo Grande, A Mulherada closes Carnival this Sunday in the Historic Center celebrating Iyobas and the legacy of Black women in the diaspora.
With a remarkable parade celebrating its 25 years on the Avenue, the Bloco Afro A Mulherada shone at the Osmar Circuit (Campo Grande) on Thursday (February 12). More than 1,000 members paraded on a complete sound truck, organized in percussion sections, dance, Afro queens, baianas, xequerê sections, plus revelers. This Sunday (15), the magic of Mulherada will arrive in the Historic Center, the territory where the group works throughout the year alongside the community.
Queen Mother Idia inspires parade theme
With the theme “Iyobas – The Ancestral Strength of Queen Mother Idia: from Benin to Salvador, the heritage of Black women”, the A Mulherada group will parade on the second day of Furdunço (February 15). The procession will pass through areas such as Praça da Sé, Terreiro de Jesus, Largo do Pelourinho and nearby streets. The presentation will be in band show format, with percussionists and micro sound truck, bringing together a performative ensemble that articulates music, body and scenic presence in the symbolic territory where the group was born.
The theme brings visibility to this historical figure from the Kingdom of Benin, Queen Mother Idia, and the Black women of the diaspora who sustain and update this cultural, spiritual and political legacy. The choice emphasizes the importance of Afro-diasporic narratives as tools for identity affirmation and strengthening Bahia’s cultural heritage, reframing the parade as a space for the circulation of knowledge and heritage education.
A quarter century of tradition
Celebrating 25 years, the Bloco Afro A Mulherada confirms its tradition in the city’s Carnival festivities, strengthening Afro-Brazilian expressions, cultural diversity and Black female protagonism in Carnival. With uninterrupted performance during this time, Banda Mulherada, which leads the group, represents one of the most relevant expressions of Afro-Brazilian culture in Salvador.
Social technology of affection and ancestry
Salvador’s Historic Center is consolidated as the cradle and cultural matrix of the group and its namesake Institute, being the founding space of its artistic, political and community trajectory. More than a Carnival group, A Mulherada constitutes itself as a social technology for producing joy, affection and ancestry, which builds safe places of belonging for Black women, cis and trans, and for LGBTQIA+ people.
A technology that develops continued actions of social impact throughout the year, with free workshops in percussion, music theory and Afro-Brazilian dance, in addition to dialogue circles and educational actions. The group’s work consolidates its role as a strategic cultural agent for valuing African-matrix culture and promoting citizenship.
Mulherada’s participation has institutional sponsorship from Salvador’s Department of Culture and Tourism (SECULT), Salvador Tourism Company (SALTUR) and the Bahia State Tourism Development Superintendence (SUFOTUR).
Service
Bloco Afro A Mulherada closes Carnival with parade at Batatinha Circuit
When: February 15 (Sunday)
Where: Batatinha Circuit (Historic Center)
Photo: Press Release
