01/03/2026
Ilê Aiyê Salvador Carneval 2026 (Part 1):Last Saturday, once again over the decades, the essential iconic Afro bloco Ilê Aiyê (Yoruba – House of Life) left their Senzala de Barro Preto (slave quarters) in Curuzu, Liberdade to participate in the rituals, and parade the streets of Salvador at Carneval 2026. This was for the community, and eyes across the globe. They were not initially invited to Carneval - they resisted and came to take up space. They are now a recognised highlight of Carnival in Bahia.
They were led this year by Deusa do Ébano -
From outside the house of the late spiritual mother Mãe Hilda de Jitolu - a priestess (iyalorixá) of the Candomblé house of Ilê Axé Jitolu, and mother of the group’s co-founder Vovô, the group received blessings. The drums started. Ile Aiye and the religion of Candomblé are interwined.
The traditional parade continued through the streets of Liberdade. In attendance: teacher Olívia Santana (PCdoB), 51, the first black woman elected to the Legislative Assembly of Bahia.
The rain came. The drums and dancing were just as relentless. The bloco and the people then travelled the few miles to Campo Grande to join one of the main Osmar circuit. The drums restarted at 3am until the sun was high up at 7.30am.
To see the people of the bloco on the streets together is the realisation and manifestation of many powerful things: (Black + African) x (Unity + Joy + Beauty + Pride + Resistance + Culture + Community). This was math - that mathed.
For over half a century, Ile Aiye have been at the forefront of everything Black: Black resistance, Black unity, Black community, Black growth, Black culture, Black pride, and Black empowerment. They deliver services to the community ' education, social, and cultural programmes.
I had been blessed to witness these events, and the welcome, love and generosity of the people.
Through my lens I hope I have been able to capture and spread the beauty of Ilê Aiyê.
Resistance has a rhythm.
Info:
https://www.instagram.com/blocoileaiye/
http://www.brazzil.com/musnov98.htm
Photos: