Mamadêlê Foundation

02/02/2026

Iemanjá Day (Festa de Iemanjá) in Salvador, Bahia, celebrated annually on February 2nd, is a massive Afro-Brazilian festival honoring the goddess of the sea. Located in the Rio Vermelho neighborhood, thousands dressed in white gather to offer flowers, perfume, and gifts to the deity, blending Candomblé traditions with vibrant, city-wide celebrations.

The celebration often begins on the night of February 1st with drums, singing, and dancing, lasting until the sunset on February 2nd and It is considered one of the largest public religious manifestations of Candomblé, representing Bahia’s, and especially Salvador's, deep African heritage.
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01/24/2026

The Malê Revolt was a major slave rebellion by enslaved African Muslims in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, in January 1835, during Ramadan. Led by literate Yoruba and Hausa Muslims, the revolt aimed to overthrow the government, establish an Islamic nation, and free enslaved people, but it was ultimately suppressed by Brazilian authorities, leading to severe repression and the deportation of many participants. The rebellion highlighted the resistance of African Muslims against slavery and discrimination and is considered a turning point that influenced the eventual abolition of the slave trade in Brazil. 

A Revolta dos Malês foi uma grande rebelião de escravos muçulmanos africanos em Salvador, Bahia, Brasil, em janeiro de 1835, durante o Ramadã. Liderada por muçulmanos iorubás e hauçás alfabetizados, a revolta visava derrubar o governo, estabelecer uma nação islâmica e libertar os escravos, mas foi finalmente reprimida pelas autoridades brasileiras, resultando em severa repressão e na deportação de muitos participantes. A rebelião destacou a resistência dos muçulmanos africanos contra a escravidão e a discriminação e é considerada um ponto de virada que influenciou a eventual abolição do tráfico de escravos no Brasil.

01/20/2026

Oxóssi, the Orixá of hunting, abundance, and wisdom, is celebrated on January 20th, the same day that the Catholic Church celebrates Saint Sebastian (his syncretic counterpart). It is a day of great festivities in Candomblé and Umbanda temples to honor the "King of the Forests." Devotees celebrate with offerings, songs, and prayers, seeking abundance, protection, and the opening of new paths.

Oxóssi is a revered Orixá (deity) in Afro-Brazilian religions like Candomblé and Umbanda, embodying the spirit of the hunt, forests, abundance, knowledge, and sustenance, known as the skilled archer with a bow and arrow, providing food and wisdom while symbolizing patience and strategic planning for self-realization and prosperity. He represents nature's provision, wealth, and the ability to find one's path.

12/23/2025

12/04/2025

Today, December 4th, Santa Barbara's Day is celebrated in Salvador, which for African-based religions is Iansã. The date marks a day full of schedules around the city, and of faithful who go out in procession through the Historic Center of Salvador. The theme of this year's festivities is "With Santa Barbara, with her forehead raised and a serene face, we witness Jesus Christ, our hope". This demonstration of faith and devotion is a cultural expression that brings together several religions, the result of ancestral resistance.

The devotion to the Catholic Saint together with the Orixá, is the portrait of the country's religious syncretism, which merged the cultures and beliefs of different ethnicities. In addition to mixing beliefs, syncretism served as a religious strategy to keep alive the tradition and ancestry of black people, and played a central role in the construction of Brazil's cultural identity.

10/28/2025

Public Service Day, known as Dia do Servidor Público, is celebrated every year on October 28 in Brazil. The date was established to recognize and honor the valuable work of public servants across the country. It reflects Brazil's appreciation for those who dedicate their careers to serving the population through government roles at the federal, state, and municipal levels.

The holiday was officially created through government regulations to provide a day of recognition for civil servants. Over time, it became a traditional observance in many government institutions. Although it is not a national public holiday, it is often marked as a "ponto facultativo" (optional holiday), which allows government departments to decide whether to close or reduce their hours. This day highlights the important role public workers play in maintaining essential services and supporting the development of Brazilian society.

Thank you for your services!

10/23/2025

Dendê and Band live in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. What a special moment! Special thank you to the amazing musicians: Vini Mendes (bass), Fabinho Carmo (keyboard), Raoní Lima Maciel (guitar), Kainã do Jeje (drums) and Leslie Macedo (percussion) who made this moment possible.

Do not miss our next concert at The City Winery Philadelphia on November 16th at 7:30PM. For ticket information visit citywinery.com/phadelphia or check my previous posts.

10/12/2025

The Feast for Our Lady of Aparecida occurs each year on October 12. It is a national holiday in Brazil, as Our Lady continues to influence the daily lives of Brazilian Catholics.

Our Lady of Aparecida is the patron of Brazil, and her feast day represents a national holiday in the country of more than 200 million people, many of whom are Catholic.

The Virgin of Aparecida has been associated with many miracles spanning centuries. She remains an important part of the faith of Brazilian Catholics as well as believers scattered throughout the world.

In Candomblé and Umbanda, Our Lady of Aparecida and Oxum are syncretized figures in Brazilian culture, where the Catholic devotion to Our Lady of Aparecida has been blended with the Yoruban deity Oxum. This connection stems from the shared association with water and the historical practice of Afro-Brazilians syncretizing their ancestral deities with Catholic saints to preserve their culture and faith, especially during slavery.

09/07/2025

Happy Brazil's Independence Day!

Brazil celebrates Independence Day on September 7 — or as they say in Brazil — Sete de Setembro! The Regent Prince, Dom Pedro, son of the Portuguese king, Dom João VI, was authorized to rule if the king either died or returned to Portugal. Upon his father’s return to Portugal in 1821, Dom Pedro took over, eventually declaring allegiance with Brazil. Brazilian independence was officially proclaimed September 22, 1822 (although now Independence Day is celebrated on September 7).

Independence Day celebrations are held on a vast level across Brazil. The day is marked with military parades and patriotic performances during the day and fireworks at night in major cities. The national celebration is hosted at the Ministries Esplanade with the president of Brazil present and spearheading the civil military parade. Picnics and other outdoor activities are a tradition, with thousands of Brazilians gathering on the streets to celebrate together.

Viva Brazil!

08/24/2025

Saint Bartholomew and Oxumaré are two figures syncretized in Brazilian religion and faith. Saint Bartholomew is a Catholic saint honored on August 24th, the same day that Oxumaré, an orisha from African-based religions, is also celebrated. Oxumaré is the orisha of continuity, wealth, and renewal, represented by the serpent and the rainbow.

Syncretism is the practice of associating a deity from one culture with a figure from another, which is what happened in Brazil with the Catholic saint and the African Orisha. On August 24th, the two traditions meet and celebrate the same date, each from their own perspective.
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São Bartolomeu e Oxumaré são duas figuras sincretizadas na religião e na fé brasileiras. São Bartolomeu é um santo católico homenageado em 24 de agosto, mesmo dia em que Oxumaré, um orixá de religiões de matriz africana, também é celebrado. Oxumaré é o orixá da continuidade, da riqueza e da renovação, representado pela serpente e pelo arco-íris.

Sincretismo é a prática de associar uma divindade de uma cultura a uma figura de outra, como aconteceu no Brasil com o santo católico e o orixá africano. Em 24 de agosto, as duas tradições se encontram e celebram a mesma data, cada uma a partir de sua própria perspectiva.