With changes due to the pandemic, the organization of the ‘Afro Amazonian Festival of Yemanjá’ confirms the event
December 29, 2021
12:12
Priscilla Peixoto – Cenarium Magazine
MANAUS – From 6 pm on Wednesday, 28, part of the Ponta Negra Beach will be ready for those who want to make the traditional end of year offerings, in the 11th ‘Afro Amazonian Festival of Yemanjá’. The information was confirmed by the organization of the event late this Tuesday afternoon, 28, after meetings that defined changes and adaptations because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We will have a place reserved for the offerings which is the traditional 75,000 square meter space next to the Tropical Hotel. From 6pm on the 29th until 8am on the 31st, the space will be open for people to make their offerings. At night, people will have access to the water just for this. Those who wish to take a bath to purify themselves, we recommend that they do so in the first hours of the day, until 5pm at the latest, because there will be no interdiction. We will take care that they comply with the rules, although we know that there are those who bathe at night, but it will be possible in the space reserved for the sacredness,” explains the general coordinator of the Toy Badé Socio-Cultural Development Association / Aratrama, Xɛ́byosɔnɔ̀n Alberto Jorge Silva.
Guidelines
Alberto Jorge reveals that because of the concern with the current health situation there is no possibility of holding an event with a large concentration of people. The recommendation for those who go to the place are the usual ones; the use of mask, alcohol gel, complete vaccination scheme and the fulfillment of not entering the water (only to make the offering), thus avoiding agglomerations.
“It is worth pointing out that Manaus is one of the few capitals in Brazil that this year-end will be guaranteeing the accessibility to the public space with safety and tranquility for the cultural and religious manifestation. This way, we, in fact, will not let the 11th edition of the festival die”, emphasizes Pai Alberto.
Plurality and attractions
For December 31st, according to the coordinator, starting at 9pm, there will be a live broadcast directly from Toy Badé / Aratrama Sociocultural Development Association. In the program, musical attractions with local artists promote diversity, one of the event’s trademarks.
Singers like Márcia Novo, Sissi e Fefa, Malungo Dudu, and Anne Colares are already confirmed for the live broadcast, and the link will be posted on the media and social networks. “It will be only the artists and guests who will be participating, we will still divulge the link. We will have songs in the axé and terreiro styles and we will keep our language of welcoming and respecting diversity. This year, the structure is little, but the tradition remains firm”, says Alberto Jorge.
In Manaus, according to historical records, the practice of taking offerings to the waters at the turn of the year has occurred for more than six decades. Due to the pandemic, the act, which expresses faith and yearnings for good energies on the turn of the year, could not be held in 2020.
Service:
11th Afro Amazonian Festival of Yemanjá
Offerings at Ponta Negra Beach, in the reserved area after the Fire Department station
Days:
12/29, starting at 6pm;
12/30, all day and night;
12/31, closing beach access, starting at 8am.
Live with artistic and musical presentations.
Beginning: 9 pm.
Venue: Toy Badé Socio-Cultural Development Association / Axɔ́súxwé Mina Gɛgi Fɔn Vodún Xɛ́byosɔ Toy Gbadɛ́