Jamaica’s African struggles featured at famous Brazilian carnival

For Carnival 2015 in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, the famous Ilê Aiyê Carnival Association featured Jamaica’s contribution to ending the struggles faced by the African Diaspora.

The themes was: “ A Diaspora Africana – Jamaica – Os Afrodescendentes” (The African Diaspora – Jamaica – The Afro-Descendants). The parade took place over the four days of Carnival, from 14 -17 February2015 and was viewed by hundreds of thousands of people along the different parade circuits in Salvador.

The heroes celebrated were Nanny of the Maroons, Paul Bogle, George William Gordon, Marcus Garvey and Bob Marley. The theme of the Carnival was inspired by the International Decade of African Descent, declared by the UN, which started on 1st January 2015 and in recognition of Jamaica’s activism and leadership in fighting against racial prejudice, intolerance and discrimination and xenophobia. The Embassy collaborated with the Ilê Aiyê association since April 2014 on this project. The Ambassador and Minister Counsellor in the Embassy were invited as guests of honour as well as the Ambassadors of other CARICOM countries. The Ambassador of Barbados and the Minister-Counsellor for Trinidad & Tobago also attended.
The costumes and the Trio Eletricos (huge trucks transporting performers) all bore the motif with the faces of the heroes being celebrated/promoted and the Jamaican flag. Original songs were recorded to go along with the theme – in particular one entitled “Força Umbilical Curuzu-Kingston” – which highlighted the likes of Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Jimmy Cliff , Desmond Dekker, to which the crowds sang along and danced along with the Ilê Aiyê Band (Band’Aiyê) and singers and performers.
A formal opening was held on the 14th February which saw the launch of the festivities with a solemn Candomblé ceremony which was attended by the Mayor of the City of Salvador, Hon. ACM Neto, the Governor of Bahia State, Hon. Rui Costa, and the Secretary of Women’s Policies for the State of Bahia, Hon. Olivia Santana. The Ebony Goddess, Alexandra Amorim – who was the winner of this year’s African beauty contest, also co-sponsored by the Embassy in the form of vintage Jamaican singer, Norris Weir of the group, The Jamaicans – was the central figure of the Candomblé ceremony which is performed to ask the Orisha (spirits) for blessings for a peaceful parade.

At the end of the ceremony white doves, popcorn and grains were released followed by mystical drumming as the Ilê Aiyê Band cleared a path for the Ebony Goddess and dignitaries and principals of Ilê Aiyê, as well as those who would be marching in the actual parade later in the evening.
For the Jamaican Embassy this was another remarkable achievement in its efforts to strengthen ties with the Government and People of Brazil, in particular Bahia. In May of 2014 the Embassy spearheaded the twinning of the cities of Kingston with that of Salvador, the capital of Bahia based on the similar histories and cultures. This is with a view to eventually finding markets for Jamaican products and promoting tourism in the State of Bahia.

Story and photos by  Jamaican Embassy Brasilia