Black Consciousness Day: November 20th

O Black conscience day is celebrated in November 20th Throughout the national territory.

The date refers to the day of the death of Zumbi dos Palmares, leader of the Quilombo de Palmares, who fought to preserve the way of life of enslaved Africans who managed to escape slavery.

Importance of Black Consciousness Day

Palmares Zombie Day — Image: Valdir de Almeida and Thiago Ferraz for the Barra Mansa city hall

The importance of the date lies in the recognition of African descendants in the constitution and construction of Brazilian society.

The main themes that can be addressed on this date are racism, discrimination, social equality, the inclusion of black people in society, Afro-Brazilian religion and culture, among others.

How did Black Consciousness Day come about?

During the Lula government (2003-2010), Law No. 10.639 of January 9, 2003, determined the inclusion of the theme "Afro-Brazilian History and Culture" in the school curriculum.

In that same document, it was established that schools would celebrate black consciousness:

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“Art. 79-B. The school calendar will include November 20th as 'National Black Awareness Day'.”

However, it was only in the government of Dilma Rousseff and through Law No. 12,519 of November 10, 2011, that this date was made official.

In this document, the “National Zombie and Black Consciousness Day”, without obligation that it was a holiday.

Know more: Origin of Black Consciousness Day

Is Black Consciousness Day a Holiday?

Black Consciousness Day is not a national holiday, but a state holiday and, in more than a thousand cities, a municipal holiday.

In turn, November 20 is a state holiday in Rio de Janeiro, Mato Grosso, Alagoas, Amazonas, Amapá and Rio Grande do Sul.

Who was Zumbi dos Palmares?

Representation of Zumbi, the leader of the Palmares

Popularly called Zumbi dos Palmares, he was the last of the leaders of the Quilombo dos Palmares, located in the current state of Alagoas, during the colonial period.

Son of enslaved Africans and born in this quilombo, Zumbi was educated by a priest and then returned to his birthplace. There, he fought for the quilombo not to be destroyed by the colonizers who considered that gathering of freed blacks a danger.

In 1695, aged 40, Zumbi was murdered by Captain Furtado de Mendonça, on the orders of Domingos Jorge Velho. He was beheaded and his head taken to Recife where it was displayed in a public square.

Phrases about Black Consciousness

"Blacks in Brazil are born prohibited from being intelligent." (Paulo Freire)
"Race prejudice is unfair and causes people great suffering." (Voltaire)
"I have a dream. The dream of seeing my children judged by their personality, not the color of their skin." (Martin Luther King Jr.)
"As long as the philosophy prevails that there is an Inferior and a Superior race, the world will be permanently at war!" (Bob Marley)
"Our claim is for a non-racial society. It's not a matter of race; it's a matter of ideas." (Nelson Mandela)
"We don't fight for integration or separation. We fight to be recognized as human beings." (Malcon X)