Ile Aiye

Race in Brazil

This issue goes much deeper than I can possibly explain here on my photo blog.  Instead, I leave you with some tools and reading materials to explore independently. 

Salvador da Bahia: Old City

Bahia: Olodum

Olodum is an internationally acclaimed Afro-Brazilian cultural group from Bahia, Brazil. Olodum (pronounced oh-lo-doon) was founded in 1979 as a bloco afro (African Bloc), a Bahian Carnival association highlighting African heritage and black pride through music, dance theater, and art. From their home city of Salvador da Bahia in Northeast Brazil (often described as the most African city in the Americas), Olodum has dedicated itself to cultural activism in the struggle against racial discrimination and socioeconomic inequality.


Olodum takes its name from the Yoruba deity Olodumaré. They focus their yearly Carnival themes on controversial issues such as black power and socialist movements in Africa and the African Diaspora. In the mid 1980s, the head drummer in the group - Mestre Neguinho do Samba - experimented with Afro-Caribbean rhythms and mixed them with the Brazilian samba. He divided the large surdo bass drums into four interlocking parts and layered the high-pitched repique drums in additive rhythms on top. The result was a new style of music dubbed samba reggae that quickly dominated Bahian Carnival. In the late 1980s Olodum assumed premiere position among the blocos afro in Bahia and became internationally known. They formed a professional musical band Banda Olodum which has now recorded over ten CDs. Olodum musicians have worked with international luminaries such as Michael Jackson, Paul Simon, and Spike Lee.

During Carnival season the group now parades with some two hundred drummers, singers, and thousands of costumed members. But the group's activities go well beyond Carnival and music. Throughout the year they sponsor seminars, speeches, and conferences on social and political issues and publish a monthly news journal, Bantu Nagô. They operate a factory where they make drums, costumes and other items which they sell to the public. Olodum also runs an inner-city school for Salvador's underprivileged children in which they teach a full array of academic and arts courses in order to build self-esteem and encourage economic ascension among Salvador's younger generation.

Pictured below is one of the original members of Olodum, whom we ran into in the airport.  He was gracious enough to take a few moments to speak to us about his life and experience.

Rio de Janeiro: Around Town

Shopping in Le Blon.  Le Blon is an affluent area of Rio, just west of Copa Cabana and Ipanema. 

After a long day of sight seeing and classes, I ducked in to this cafe to relax and people watch.

University

We attended several lectures at the Federal Univerity de Brazil covering a complete range of topics from public policy, managment, civic responsibility, and race relations. Here, I'm pictured with several University students. 

Hidden Gems

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm not one to follow rules much or ask for permission, often leading to the great experiences which are my life. We snuck off from the group to enjoy some true local life and ended up in this cozy cafe dancing with the owner and patrons. One of my best experiences in Rio!

Breathtaking Views

Black and white of the Corcovado

 Unedited view as we descended from the Corcovado during the blue hour. Breathtaking!

Homelessness

Title:  A Mile in My Life

We live in such an abundant world, it still shocks and disheartens me when I see levels of extreme poverty. It was 2pm-broad daylight and he slept on a sliver of cardboard as the city bustled around him. We walked past him on the way to a historic library...

Sunrise Over Rio

Woke up to this amazing sunrise on my first full day in Rio.

Amour & Besos

Every where we went there were couples holding hands, kissing, being affectionate, and sharing intimate moments. You can feel the love and enery of genuine kindness as you explore Brazil.