O Black conscience day is celebrated on November 20th in Brazil. The date represents the fight against racial discrimination and social inequality, and aims to strengthen the perception historical and cultural that blacks and the entire Brazilian population have of themselves, thus reducing actions of preconception.
The celebration takes place throughout the national territory and marks the day of the death of black leader Zumbi dos Palmares, who fought against the clerk in the largest quilombo that existed in Latin America, built in the region of the current Alagoas.
The language, gastronomy, music, religion, fashion, habits, among many other aspects of culture Brazilian, are strongly marked by the African culture brought by blacks who were enslaved in the training from the country. Being the Black Consciousness Day important for the recognition of this identity in our culture.
Check out some short texts that promote important reflections on Black Consciousness Day.
Small Texts on Black Consciousness
the black hero
November 20th is very special for the Brazilian black population. It is the date on which Brazil reveres the heroism of Zumbi de Palmares, the greatest symbol of black resistance and struggle against slavery.
Zumbi was born free in Palmares, in 1655, but was captured as a baby and given to a Jesuit priest. Baptized with the name Francisco, he had a Christian education and studied Portuguese and Latin. But he has not abandoned his roots. At the age of 15, Zumbi returned to Quilombo dos Palmares, where he became a military strategist.
On November 20, 1695, after being betrayed by a companion, he was arrested and killed by Portuguese troops.
Quilombo dos Palmares was located in the Serra da Barriga region, which is currently part of the municipality of União dos Palmares, in the state of Alagoas.
It was made up of quilombolas (runaway slaves from the farms and who came to live in the quilombos) who had been slaves on the farms of the captaincies of Bahia and Pernambuco. It became a symbol of black resistance to slavery.
(Unknown author)
The Color of Sense
Souls have the color of their meaning:
what is given to life, what is asked.
Life has the flower of my smile...
the more beautiful, the more on the surface.I'm black, I'm Indian, and I'm white too.
I am strength and life in the Light that comes to me.
I am a bird and a song, soft and feverish.
I'm laughing and crying on the ground in Brazil.And wherever I go, I go in one piece:
the body in skin, soul and emotion.
I'm black, Indian, white… Brazilian.
I am a prisoner only of the heart.(Célia de Lima)
Me either
“I, too, sing America
I am the blackest brother.
When the visitors arrive,
They tell me to eat in the kitchen.
but i laugh
And as well,
And I get stronger. Tomorrow,
When the visitors arrive
I will sit at the table.
No one will dare,
then,
to tell me,
“Go eat in the kitchen”. Besides,
they will see how beautiful i am
And they will be ashamed – I, too, am America.”(Langston Hughes)
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Do not be silent
Black awareness, awareness that you exist and persist. Despite the odds.
Awareness of your struggle, your defeats and your victory in the form of freedom.
Freedom that every day tries to take you away.
Don't be silent in front of society.
Your color is an honor.(Juliane Rodrigues)
Black Consciousness Day Holiday - states where it is a holiday
It is noteworthy that although the Black Consciousness is celebrated throughout the Brazilian territory, November 20 is only a holiday in some states of the country, they are:
- Rio de Janeiro
- alagoas
- Amazons
- Amapá
- Mato Grosso
- Rio Grande do Sul
The date was established by Bill No. 10.639 on January 9, 2003. However, it was only in 2011 that then-president Dilma Roussef sanctioned Law 12,519/2011, which creates the date without mandatory holidays.
See too:
- African Mythology - Gods, Stories and Practices
- Discover African dances and their traditions
- The best African music to discover the continent's traditions
- Black Consciousness Project for Kindergarten and Elementary Education
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