More than a hundred practitioners and sympathizers of the African matrix religions gathered on Sunday afternoon (7) in Brasilia, to celebrate the faith and resistance of the terreiros and the end of religious intolerance.
The date was chosen because the number seven is related to Orixá Exu and represents the union of the spiritual with the material.
The event in the federal capital was named Caminhos to Exu and was inspired by the March to Exu, which reached the third edition in São Paulo and gathered thousands of people on Paulista Avenue last month, having been replicated in other cities.
“Our main goal is to show that we exist; that we are alive,” he explained to Brazil agency The singer Kika Ribeiro, one of the creators of the event that took over a stretch of W3 Sul Avenue, between Praça das Grandparents, in 506 Sul, and the Maria da Conceição Moreira Salles Library, supporter of the project.
“We are saying no to religious intolerance, so that everyone, regardless of their religions, can live according to their faith, their creeds, respecting each other,” added Kika, anticipating the possibility of the second edition of Paths to happen later this year, in December, according to the public response.
Paths for Exu celebrates resistance from the people of Terreiro, in Brasilia – Bruno Peres/Agência Brasil
The Cultural Coordinator of the Demonstrative Library, Marina Mara, stressed that, in addition to Candomblé supporters, Umbanda, Quimbanda, Ifá and other religions and spirituality manifestations of African influence, the event attracted many sympathizers and people attracted by the songs and the touch of atabaques, agogo and other instruments.
“This is Exu! It is communication, communion, prosperity,” said Marina, citing some of the characteristics associated with Orixá, considered a fundamental deity in the religions of African matrix, among other things, to open the ways, serving as a messenger between human and divine planes.
“Hence, too, because we, as a public library [vinculada ao Ministério da Cultura] Which has, among its functions, to gather all the cultural manifestations and all kinds of front, we are supporting the event, ”said Kika.
She explained that, on the occasion of the march, the board of the library decided to extend, until September 15, the exhibition Letters to Terezawhich honors the quilombola leader and symbol of black resistance in Brazil, Tereza de Benguela, and is on display at the Gallery of the Demonstrative Library. “We wanted to enjoy the coming of the public [da caminhada]. ”
Yalóris (Mother of Saint) Franchs of Óya left the yard Kwe Oya Sogy, which she coordinates, in Samambaia, to honor the meeting in the heart of Brasilia.
“What motivated me to come was the strength and love of the people [de terreiro] to want to show everyone that we are not evil; That we are joy, health, prosperity – central axes of life, ”said Francys, commenting on the fact that African matrix religions are the target of prejudice and violence.
Manifestation in the capital was inspired by the version that takes place three years ago in São Paulo, the march to Exu – Bruno Peres/Agência Brasil
Data
According to the 2022 census, the number of practitioners of these manifestations In 2022, 1% of the Brazilian population arrived in 2022 – an increase of over 300% compared to the 2010 result.
According to the researchers, the increase is the result of public policies to confront religious intolerance. Still, data from the National Human Rights Ombudsman reveal that these religions and spiritual manifestations are the most frequent targets of religious intolerance.
“These ways to Exu is precisely to hint our orisha. To tell everyone that, contrary to what many say and think, Exu is good. It’s beautiful. It’s love. Just look at this party, for this beautiful people,” concluded Yalórisá.
