The festival seeks to bring together people of African matrix and those sympathetic to Afro-Brazilian culture. The 10th edition of the event will continue until January 1, 2020
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Photo: David Batista/Manauscult
Bringing together Afro-Brazilian cultural and religious celebrations, the traditional Afro-Amazonian Festival of Yemanjáthat completes this year its 10th edition, will begin next Saturday (28) and will continue until January 1st, 2020, on the beach of the Tourist Complex Ponta Negra Beachin the West Zone of Manaus.
The event, organized by the Amazon Articulation of Traditional Peoples of African Matrix (Aratrama) and held by the Association of Sociocultural Development Toy Badé, receives the support of the Manaus City Hall, through the Municipal Foundation for Culture, Tourism and Events (Manauscult).
With four days of diverse and free programming, the festival, which dates back more than 50 years of tradition, aims to bring together people of African origin and supporters of Afro-Brazilian culture, in a safe and open environment, to perform rites, celebrations and offerings. In addition, there will be an environmental awareness work that will guide practitioners to perform rituals while preserving the environment.
"This is the moment when the Umbanda people give thanks for the year that is ending and pray for the New Year, paying homage to the queen of the seas, of the waters, through offerings. This event also seeks to open space for those who do not know about African culture, giving new meaning to some concepts about traditions and religious and cultural manifestations," said the event coordinator, Alberto Jorge. He adds that the site will be open 24 hours a day during the four days of festival activities.
New Year's Eve of diversity
The event, which brings together culture, sacredness, health, sports, and social inclusion, will expand in this edition the space for the LGBTI+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transvestite, transsexual, transgender, intersex, and other gender identities) audience. The program will feature DJs, performances by artists and dance groups, as well as space for sports and street games, such as tug-of-war, burn, rubber band, cotton swab war, and soap soccer.
"It is important to emphasize that the Afro-Amazonian Festival of Yemanjá is a space open to all people who are in favor of the common good, of love, of fraternity, of empathy. Diversity exists and respect must prevail, regardless of race, religion, or gender", emphasized Alberto Jorge.
Gastronomy
A food court will be available for the public who will attend the Yemanjá Afro-Amazonian Festival. The gastronomy will be provided by the famous Churrasco Fogo de Chão, which will bring to the public cuts of meat such as picanha, rib eye, besides the homemade hamburger, chourizo, smoked beef brisket, suckling pig, lamb, fish and smoked chicken. Drinks such as water and soft drinks will also be sold on site.
Agenda
The opening of the Yemanjá Afro-Amazonian Festival, on Saturday (28), starting at 3pm, will be dedicated to gender diversity, with programming aimed at the LGBTI+ public. Cultural activities, sports and lots of music are on the program for the day.
On Sunday (29), from 14h, the event will be focused on cultural manifestations of Afro-Brazilian people, with presentations of musical groups such as Axé Odara Group, Estrelas Group, Pagode dos Amigos, Capoeira Group, artistic groups of Negritude and Encanto da Jurema Group.
On Monday (30), starting at 7pm, the activities will be focused on sacredness, on the activities of the terreiros, with the participation of the groups Axé Odara and Encanto da Jurema. And on New Year's Eve (31st), the program will start at 8pm, with a playlist led by DJs Claudio Sivan, Jacke Dourado, Pan Dean, Rainer Muller, Naty Veiga, and Merm.ade.
With information from the press