As I have often mentioned, Costa Rica is an excellent jump off point for travel to all of Latin America. We've had the opportunity to travel to several of the countries closest to Costa Rica, along with Peru. We have not yet traveled to Brazil, Argentina or Uruguay, which are also on our bucket list, once travel normalizes.
I recently came across a powerful video (which has actually been around a few months) but it hit me hard because it is so closely linked with the struggle, we as African Americans, are facing in the US today, and the impact that the Black Lives Matter movement is making around the world!
Check it out below
An event that blends Music/Travel and a Social Movement together in one location is Salvador Carnival - one of the largest street parties in the world and many say it is the best place in Brazil to celebrate carnival!
Salvador de Bahía, Brazil, South America
8 Jul - 11 Jul 2021 (date changed due to Covid)
The biggest carnival in the world takes place in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil. During a massive street party of six days, dozens of bands on big trucks named carnival bloco’s parade through the streets. Every year, more than two million people come to Salvador to be part of Brazil’s biggest festival.
However, forty years ago most Afro-Brazilians living in Pelourinho - the historic city center of Salvador - were not allowed to participate. To guarantee them access to the festival, a group of musicians and artists founded Olodum: a bloco that aimed to highlight African heritage during the massive yearly parades, and uplift the Afro-Brazilian community of Pelourinho through music, art and dance.
Salvador de Bahia is also the heart of Brazil’s Afro-Brazilian community. Nowhere else in the world has the African culture brought over by the slaves, been as preserved as it has been in Salvador. Afro-Brazilian music, food, dance, religion and martial arts traditions are still alive and well. Source
OLODUM = God of Gods
The word Olodum means 'God of Gods'. Their colourful, iconic symbol represents different elements of Afro-Brazilian culture. Along with a red, yellow and green peace sign) Black represents the dark skin color of the Afro-Brazilians and red relates to the blood that runs through our bodies
(An estimated 97% (4.9 million) slaves from Africa were brought to Brazil during the period from 1501 to 1866. Only 3.1% (388,747) were brought to N America.
Thank you Brazil!!!