The popular festivals trace their origins back to the tradition of communities of paying tribute to their patron saints, expressing their gratitude for blessings obtained. During the event the requests for peace, good health and wealth are renewed.
The centuries old custom was inherited by the Portuguese and has been changed through the years. Originally the festival presented just people praying and chanting to their patron saints, but with time, stands selling drinks and food appeared, giving to the festival an entertainment characteristic. The songs are no longer strictly religious ones. On the streets can be heard the typical capoeira and samba beats along with other rhythms.
These changes transported the festivals beyond the communities and churches’ largos into the streets. Nowadays they are registered by the curious eyes of tourists and by TV cameras from all over the world. They come to Salvador to appreciate these moments, which express so well the icons of the local culture such as Candomblé, Catholicism, gastronomy, dancing and music.
The festivals take place all through the year, without ever losing their enthusiasm. This guarantees a good time from January until December, for both the faithful and those who come only to visit. Salvador provides a million reasons for a good celebration and some of the best-known popular festivals are Bom Jesus dos Navegantes, Nosso Senhor do Bonfim, the Yemanjá festivity and Nossa Senhora da Conceição.
Salvador is a land of all saints and the people celebrate accordingly. It shines with a magical glow that invites every person from every corner of the earth to find out why Salvador has been named the Land of Happiness.
The Most Importants Festivals in
The mixture of Catholicism with ancestral practices of Candomblé and indigenous beliefs makes the city of Salvador the Mecca of Afro-Brazilian religion. Expressions of faith are not confined to the hallowed halls of cathedrals and Candomblé temples - they spill over into the houses, streets, squares and the vast blue sea. An full calendar of celebrations which have been held for over 300 years take place the year round, occurring with more frequency during the summer months. Catholic festivities replete with commemorative masses and processions take place alongside corteges of mothers-of-saints honoring their orixás. Families gather together to recite the novenas for Saint Anthony or prepare the special caruru feast for either the Candomblé erês or Saints Cosme and Damião.
Processions over land or sea may honor, depending on your belief, either Nosso Senhor do Bonfim or Oxalá, or the patron saint of seafarers or Iemanjá. The number and intensity of festivals increases until Carnival, which culminates the cycle of popular festivals.
The religious festivals are interlaced with profane celebrations - proof being Carnival, whose date is determined by the Lenten period, which in turn is set by the cycle of the moon.
New Year's Eve - People come dressed in white for good luck, light candles and throw flowers and offerings to the goddess of the sea, Yemanja. There is also a large display of fireworks on Ondina Beach near the Farol da Barra Lighthouse - highlighted with performances by famous and prominent Brazilian musicians. The celebration stretches from the lighthouse to Porto da Barra, with tables set up, music blasting, people dancing, and parties hopping.
Festa da Boa Viagem e do Bom Jesus dos Navegantes Feast. A tradition that remounts to mid 18th century, this fête is one of Salvador’s most beautiful popular manifestations. It takes place on New Year’s Eve, when people go on with New Year’s celebrations at Boa Viagem Beach.
On the Boa Viagem at Itapagipe Beach, there is the Festa do Senhor Bom Jesus dos Navegantes, which is a boat carrying a picture of Jesus dos Navegantes. It is launched from a church and accompanied by many other smaller boats.
(First 2 Weeks of January)
Farol Folia - This is a pre-Carnaval celebration that takes place in the first 2 weeks of January, with Carnaval blocos partying and dancing around their respective trio eletricos. In 1998, the Salvador Carnival had a great “preview”, which eventually joined the calendar of Annual Carnival Celebrations. This was the ‘Farol Folia,’ gathering at first, in the Dodô/Barra-Ondina Circuit, with thousands of people parading disguised as 'popcorn'.
Lavagem do Bonfim
(Second Thursday of every January)
Lavagem do Bonfim - This huge and beautiful festival takes place on the second Thursday of every January, and has been doing so since 1754. It is a huge celebration for the Catholic and Candomble faiths together, for N.S. do Bonfim is loved for his embracing catholics- and non-catholics alike, and he is associated with the Candomble god Oxala as with Jesus Christ, respectively.
Everyone gathers at the famous Church of Conceicao da Praia and proceeds over to the Church of Bonfim 10 kilometers away. Here, barefoot baianas wash and cleanse the steps, which comes from the old tradition of the washing of the inside of the church that has now been carried over into a ritual of just the steps.
Horse drawn carriages, government officials, musicians, natives, those of Candomble faith, Catholics and tourists all gather and follow the Filhos de Gandhy (Sons of Ghandi) They march right by the Baianas who are all dressed in white with colorful sacred beads and elongated white vases filled with flowers and water on their heads. As they then proceed to wash the steps, ten of thousands of others spread about the many set-up booths for food and drink, and some famous trio eletricos form the background of Brazilian beat. There is non-stop drumming, and everyone is in white as people proceed to dance, drink, eat acaraje and be blessed by the holy water that pours onto their hands and heads from the Baianas vases. Many locals also choose to hop on a bus and go down to Conceicao da Praia Church where the music from the trios continues until dawn.
Festa de Yemanja
(Every February 2nd)
Festa de Yemanja - The beauty of this festival is echoed in the title of this goddess to whom the festival is dedicated: The Goddess of the Sea. Every year on February 2nd fireworks are sounded at 5 am, and the faithful gather around the temporary shack built to store gifts to Yamanja on the Rio Vermelho Beach. Inside is a silver or bronze statue of the goddess admiring herself in the mirror (which is why a common offering is a small, hand held mirror) The Goddess is beautiful and aware of her beauty. Other offerings include beads, white roses, soap and perfume bottles which are placed in baskets guarded by the Baianas outside of Yemanjas temporary "temple." There are also notes written, asking for wishes to be granted.
The Maes de Santo- Candomble priestess- dance and chant near-by, performing the traditional religious dances to the persistent beating of drums.
Once the baskets are full- usually at about 4 p.m.- the offerings are transferred over to many boats that are then floated out to sea andguarded by the statue of Yemanja- which is returned then by the fishermen for next years celebration. Afterwards, in Bahian style, people fill the streets for another all-night celebration of life.
CARNIVAL (Carnaval)
(Feb 17-21-2012 - Feb 08-12-2013 - Feb 28-Mar 4-2014 - Feb 13-17-2015 - Feb 05-09-2016)
Carnival in Salvador Bahia - This is the greatest source of joy for the people of Bahia. Only the party’s organization involves the direct participation of 25 thousand people. Its dimensions are gigantic. Salvador’s Carnival is billed as the largest ‘Street party’ in the world!
When you experience Carnival in Salvador Bahia for the first time you’ll find It to be a truly amazing spectacle to witness and be a part of – imagine partying with more than 2 million people on the streets, squares and avenues, celebrating and enjoying yourself to the max for a entire week. Twenty five (25) thousand people are involved in the organization of this grand event and people of the state as well as tourists look forward to the Salvador de Bahia Carnaval every year during this most festive time to be in Brazil. Needless to say, it is a gigantic event to witness. Annually, Salvador Bahia hosts almost 800 thousand visitors from different municipalities which are located at a distance of 93 miles (150kms) for this incredible event with worldwide appeal.
Samba-Reggae, Afoxê and Axé music rule this musical extravaganza. You will also come across many blocos participating in these carnivals- Olodum, Malé, Debalé and Filhos de Gandhi are the ones famous of the lot. The Salvador de Bahia Carnival is the paradise for music lovers across the globe. The non-stop party and music - it just can't get better than this!
The whole experience is thrilling and the glittery street is a treat to your eyes. The excitement and enjoyment knows no bounds, beautiful Brazilians on the streets and in their best form, it's simply amazing. Besides, you can have your share of the delicious Afro-Brazilian delicacy - Acarajé – this specialty food with roots in West African is specially made for this festive event by the beautiful Baianas- the Bahian woman, dressed in milky white gowns. You can also have sea food and other Brazilian specialties, right on the street.
Salvador’s Carnival is well protected and police are very helpful and sincere. Heavy patrolling is done so that the people do not miss out any event of the celebration. Their protection and well being is under the jurisdiction of Bahian police.
Salvador Bahia is all about happiness, laughter, music, dance and romance. The people of Salvador are warm and friendly and if you visit the state during the Carnival you will feel you are one of them. The people here love to share their culture and tradition with all of us.
(See our Suggested Tour Schedule for more details about our next Carnival in Salvador Bahia Tour)
Sao Joao (Saint John)
(Celebrated in June)
Festa da Independência da Bahia
(July 2)
Bahia Independence Day - Civic celebration that praises the incoming of the Brazilian liberating forces in Salvador, in 1823. Even after the proclamation of the Independence of Brazil, Bahia continued to be occupied by the Portuguese forces of the Brigadier Madeira de Mello. On July 2nd of the same year, the national army entered the town through ‘Estrada das Boiadas’, now Liberdade (Freedom). The date then was celebrated with intense popular participation as the Bahia Independence Day. Its commemoration includes cultural events and representations of historic facts, allegory floats and groups representing the community.
Festa da Boa Morte
(Aug 10-12-2012 - Aug 09-11-2013 - Aug 08-10-2014 - Aug 07-09-2015 - Aug 12-14-2016)
The Good Death’s Sisters Festival is perhaps one of the most unique experiences that you will ever witness. This Good Death's Sisters Festival aka (Festa da Boa Morte) has as its main objective to thank her "for liberty granted". This colorful celebration has been held for more than a century in the city of Cachoeira Bahia located about 2 hours, by luxury coach, west of Salvador in the area surrounding All Saints' Bay.
The last day of the festival is when the Assumption of Our Lady is commemorated. The festival includes a three day devotion celebrated at the Our Lady of the Rosary of the Port of Cachoeira Church, a prayer vigil, a festive mass, two processions, a dinner and a lunch at the headquarters of the sisterhood as well as performances of samba de roda-a traditional style of samba danced in a circle.
The Sisterhood of Good Death, a closed society that only accepts females of African descent is responsible for organizing the entire event. The devotion to Our Lady of Good Death was initiated at the Barroquinha Church in Salvador by freed female slaves who founded the society around 1823, the objective of which was to work and save enough money to buy the freedom of the other sisters.
(See out tour schedule for details about our next Good Death’s Sisters Festival tour)
Independência do Brasil
7 de Septembro (September 7)
CHILDREN’S DAY - (Dia das Crianças)
(October 12)
Children’s Day - This is the national holiday of Our Lady Aparecida, Brazil’s Patron Saint, and it is celebrated on October 12th, which is also Child’s day. Throughout the whole city, the main parks and malls prepare special events to commemorate the date. The core spot of the feast happens traditionally in the City Park where many activities and shows take place for child’s enjoyment.
Black Consciousness Day
(November 20)
Black Consciousness Day - (November 20th) Is an annual holiday in Bahia that is similar to MLK – Martin Luther King Day in the USA. On this day the public pays tribute to an African ancertor, Zumbi dos Palmares, revered by blacks in this country for his fierce resistance to slavery in the 17th century. The day was consciously chosen to symbolize the ongoing struggles of blacks to achieve social and economic equality in Brazil.
Baiana Day (Dia da Biana)
(November 25)
Baiana Day - Participated in by dozens of Baianas traditionally dressed in white hooped lace dresses and colored beads representative of various orixás, Dia da Baiana opens with a mass at church Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Pretos (Church Our Lady of the Rosary of the Blacks) on the Largo do Pelourinho...and continues with a lunch of traditional Bahian food, samba de roda and other activities at the SENAC restaurant, also located on the largo. This event is not traditional, having been started by state tourism agency Bahiatursa in the '80s.
Samba Day - Dia do Samba
(December 2)
Dia do Samba was created by the Câmara Municipal (Salvador City Council) in the 1940s to honor composer Ary Barroso (who was born on this day), the first show in commemoration of the day taking place in 1972 with the participation of Gilberto Gil. Subsequent years have included and continue to include Bahia's greatest sambistas. Festivities take place in the Praça Municipal on a huge stage.
Festa de Santa Bárbara
(December 4-6)
Festa de Santa Bárbara - Dedicated not to the saint but to the goddess Iansã - Santa Bárbara is syncretized with Iansã, wife of Xangô and goddess of the winds. A mass is celebrated in her honor at church Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Pretos (7 a.m.), and later (11:00 a.m.) a procession proceeds through Pelourinho to the Corpo de Bombeiros (Fire Station) in the Baixo dos Sapateiros, where participants are greeted by the sounding of sirens (Santa Bárbara is the patron saint of firefighters) and a grand carurú to be served to the public. From there everything moves on to the Mercado de Santa Bárbara where the stallholders have prepared their own carurús to be served to the public (5 p.m.), and where it is very, very crowded. Red and white are the colors to be worn.
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