Afro blocks storm Praça da Estação this Friday to kick off Belo Horizonte Carnival with ancestral beats, prosperity theme and anti-racism push.
Decade of Afro-Brazilian Power
Kandandu, BH’s Afro Blocks Encounter, marks 10 years in 2026. Theme honors Oxóssi, God of Forests and Abundance. Animals, plants and fruits evoke prosperity. Friday (13th) and Saturday (14th) fill the square with rhythms and colors.
Free entry. Municipal Guard ensures safety. Full schedule on Belo Horizonte Portal.
Friday: Vibes Start at 5 PM
Aguerê de Oxóssi Kaasius opens at 5 PM. Batucarte at 6:40 PM. Arrasta Favela at 7:45 PM. Tapa de Mina empowers at 9:40 PM. Samba da Meia-Noite at 9:55 PM.
Akatu band’s pagode rocks at 11 PM. Tambolelê closes at 12:45 AM. DJ AfroKong in breaks.
Saturday: Ancestral Rhythms Flow
Mata Adentro kicks off at 3 PM with Jéssica Knowles and André Arturos. Afrodum at 4 PM. Filhos de Zambi at 5:05 PM. Pagode star Rodriguinho at 6:10 PM.
Afro Magia Negra at 7:30 PM. Sambadouro at 8:35 PM. Swing Safado ends at 11:30 PM. DJ Black Josie in intervals.
“What’s most beautiful about building Kandandu is the collective spirit driving it all. From team efforts and constant dialogue in organization to the close ties with blocks, there’s genuine involvement. Kandandu is always a key milestone for us. It moves me to see each Belo Horizonte Afro block prepare, organize and arrive with shining eyes, strength, creativity and energy to build together,” celebrates Suellen Sampaio, Kandandu’s artistic director.
“Kandandu” means hug in Kimbundu. It fosters ancestral unity. Afro blocks fight racism year-round.
Belotur Recognition and Legacy
Honored by Ministry of Human Rights in 2018. Minas Gerais Assembly praises Abafro-MG. Belotur President Eduardo Cruvinel says: “Kandandu sparks dialogue with Afro-Brazilian roots, highlighting the need to preserve expressions that shape Belo Horizonte’s identity”.
BH Without Racism Debut
Human Rights Subsecretary launches BH Without Racism seal at Carnival. Distributes anti-discrimination materials. OIM partnership fights xenophobia. Focus on reporting channels.
By bringing these actions to one of Carnival’s hottest spots, Kandandu’s stage, City Hall and partners not only educate and alert revelers but reaffirm human rights as core to the festivity. Reinforcing reporting channels and info materials shows public policies must join the party to ensure joy without violence or exclusion. “The BH Without Racism seal activation is a big step toward embedding anti-racist practices and inclusion on Minas streets,” states Gabriel Souza, Director of Reparation Policies and Racial Equality Promotion.
Photo: Pablo Bernardo/Belotur Archive
