The first Afro group in Brazil, Ilê Aiyê, based in Salvador, is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Although associated with carnival, the beginning of Ilê Ayê coincides with an important historical moment where the world witnessed the emergence and strengthening of several movements that fought for and encouraged the appreciation of black culture, such as Black Power, the American Civil Rights movement, and the independence of several African countries.
Created on November 1, 1974, in the Liberdade neighborhood, in Salvador, the block that takes the colors black, yellow, red and white, had its first parades with police escort. The first years were full of prejudice, according to Antonio Carlos dos Santos Vovô, known as Grandpa do Ilê.
The connection between religion and Ilê Aiyê is also very strong, after all, a large part of the block’s trajectory is mixed with that of Mãe Hilda and the Ilê Axé Jitolú terreiro, on Ladeira do Curuzu, in Salvador. For almost two decades, the yard served the block as a board of directors, secretariat, sewing room and reception for members.
During the carnival period, Curuzu is the stage for a cultural-religious act: the blessing for the group’s departure, which takes place with an orchestra of dozens of percussionists and the black choir in a celebration. Currently, the ritual is performed by Mãe Hilda’s daughter, Hildelice Benta dos Santos, Doné Hildelice.
The Freedom Block continues with its roots in Curuzu. Its headquarters are now Senzala do Barro Preto, where dozens of educational inclusion activities are carried out and also maintenance of the legacy of Ilê Aiyê. The Mãe Hilda School also operates there, with computer labs, classrooms, painting rooms, an industrial kitchen and other spaces.
In this fiftieth anniversary year, the block won a documentary, shows inside and outside the country, an exhibition and, on Friday night (1st), a show was held to celebrate the trajectory of the Most Beautiful of Belos. The show was at Concha Acústica at Teatro Castro Alves, in Salvador. Among the guests, long-time partners such as Orquestra Afrosinfônica and singers Matilde Charles, Daniela Mercury and Carlinhos Brown.
