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| Yemanjá, the Goddess of the Sea, is honored all along the coast of Bahia, everywhere there is a fishing cooperative or a Candomblé house of worship. Yemanja's honors takes place on the beach , where thousands of people come to leave their offerings at the Yemanjá.. Yemanja A Candomblé deity associated with Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Yemanja is the orixá of salt water. One of the most prestigious female entities in the Candomblé pantheon, Yemanja is said to be quite vain and therefore rather fond of all manner of products to make herself Yemanja more beautiful.. |
| Santo Amaro Festival - Brazil, May 11th-20th, 2008 Bembe' Do Mercoda & Yemanja Celebration Salvador da Bahia, Santo Amaro, Cabucu & Rio de Janeiro |
TOUR PRICE INCLUSIONS
HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS Rio de Janeiro Luxor Regent Hotel ( 3 nights) Salvador Mecure Hotel (3 nights) Cachoeria Pousad do Convento (1night) Tour Date: May 11th -20th Price: $2694.00 per person- Note: The tour price is per person based on two persons sharing one room. Additional Charge for single occupancy is $400. You may request a room mate match but it is not guaranteed. Triple occupancy is not available.Price doesn't include international departure taxes estimated at $220.00 |
| The people of African descent from Santo Amaro da Purificação, located near All Saints' Bay in a sugar-cane producing region, have commemorated the abolition of slavery with the Bembé do Mercado festival since 1889, one year after the Emancipation Proclamation. The festival is a folk and religious tradition in which the local population plays an important role as it is organized by the fishermen and fish sellers of Santo Amaro. It takes place in front of the Municipal Market, where two small stages are set up. For three days, starting on Friday, groups of samba de roda-a traditional style of samba danced in a circle; Afoxés-Afro-Brazilian Carnival groups; maculelê-a sword dance; and capoiera-an Afro-Brazilian martial art practised to music, a warrior's dance, perform on the small stages alongside religious dances in honor of the orixás of the waters, Oxum-the goddess of rivers, lakes and rain, and Yemanjá-the goddess of the sea. The Bembé do Mercado festival also commemorates the end of official persecution of African-based religious faiths. This is why, as a part of the festival, an offering is made to Yemanjá on the nearby beach of Cabuçu. |
Day 1: Depart from Miami International Airport.
Day 2: Arrive in Rio de Janeiro, the cidade maravilhosa.
After clearing customs and immigrations, we are met by our
guide and transferred to the Luxor Regent Hotel , facing
Copacabana Beach. 3-night stay includes hotel taxes and
daily Brazilian breakfast. This evening you are met by your
guide for a Welcome Dinner at a Carioca’s (Rio native)
favorite restaurant - the Churrascaria. After dinner, you are
transferred to the Plataforma for a rousing show of the
different music, costumes, and dancing from the various
districts of Brazil presenting Brazil's folklore and capturing
Carnival rhythms.
Day 3: City Tour Rio
This morning we depart for our tour to Corcovado , Santa
Teresa & downtown Old Rio on board rugged four-wheel
drive jeeps and head through the soaring peaks of the Tijuca
National Forest . To the base of the imposing Statue of
Christ with arms outstretched over Rio on Corcovado
Mountain. This tour shows us the “must see” sights and
places that make Rio such a fascinating city! The views of the
ocean, city, and lagoon are spectacular from this vantage
point. Then the drive thru the charming Santa Teresa district.
This area, once favored by Rio 's wealthy and powerful but fell
into neglect after World War II. Today Santa Teresa is
enjoying a renaissance era as artists and bohemians who
have moved to the area are renovating this funky and colorful
part of Rio . Enjoy a group lunch at the historical Colombo
restaurant downtown. Balance of day at leisure.
Day 4: Rio De Janeiro
Day at leisure to enjoy this beautiful city
Day 5: Travel to Salvador Bahia
This morning, after breakfast and check-out, you are met by
your guide and transferred to the airport in time for your
domestic flight to Salvador. On arrival, you are met by your
guide and transferred to the MERCURE HOTEL, located in
front of Rio Vermelho Beach for a 4 night stay . This evening
you are escorted to the 18th century colonial complex of Solar
do Unhao which had its own sugar refinery, church, manor
house, and slave quarters. The show is presented in the old
stockrooms and is a showcase of the different African
traditions still so much alive in Bahia. See the sacred dances
of the Candomble, the Maculele, a stick and sword dance
from the cane fields; the dance of the Caboclo, an Amerindian
hunting dance; Capoeira, martial arts/ dance of Angolan
origin and the Samba de Roda, a spinning, swirling version of
this exuberant national dance. Dinner takes place at the
venue with a wide selection of typical and international
dishes. A spectacular welcome to Salvador!
Day 6: City Tour Salvador
This morning, after breakfast, we trace the African roots of
Salvador on an African-oriented historical city tour which
combines the newer, modern section and the older Historical
Center of Salvador, the Pelourinho area, so called after the
pillory which stood in the main square, in front of the central
slave market. We visit the Afro-Brazilian Museum that traces
the West African origins of the city. See the superb wooden,
sculpted panels of the orixás by Salvador 's most celebrated
artist, Carybé. We visit the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary,
the famous Black church, built with meager resources over a
period of almost 100 years.Stop for lunch at the great
Barravento Restaurant, located underneath a large sail-
shaped roof, offering alfresco dining on a patio overlooking
the beach where you may see as far as the Farol da Barra.
Before returning to the hotel, stop at the Mercado Modelo, a
handicraft market and the best place in Salvador for souvenirs
and shopping. Time to bargain!
Evening at leisure.
Day 7: Bembe do Mercado Celebration - Cachoeira
Morning at leisure.
Drive north out of the city and then head westwards, through
rolling hills to Cachoeira, the jewel of the Bahian hinterland
nestled in the deep valley of the Paraguaçu River where you
take a walking tour of the town, with an opportunity to browse
in some local wood carvers stores’. Like Salvador,
Candomblé plays an integral part in the life of the town,
epitomized by the Sisterhood of the Boa Morte, a sorority
which traces its origins back to the time of slavery.
Upon arrival, you are transferred to the POUSADA DO
CONVENTO. This beautiful historical hotel use to be a
convent.Your guide assists you with check-in, gives you a
briefing on the hotel and neighborhood and advises you of the
meeting time for this dinner and evening event.After early
dinner in Cachoeira, proceed on a 40-km drive to Santo
Amaro for the Bembe do Mercado celebrations.
Day 2: Arrive in Rio de Janeiro, the cidade maravilhosa.
After clearing customs and immigrations, we are met by our
guide and transferred to the Luxor Regent Hotel , facing
Copacabana Beach. 3-night stay includes hotel taxes and
daily Brazilian breakfast. This evening you are met by your
guide for a Welcome Dinner at a Carioca’s (Rio native)
favorite restaurant - the Churrascaria. After dinner, you are
transferred to the Plataforma for a rousing show of the
different music, costumes, and dancing from the various
districts of Brazil presenting Brazil's folklore and capturing
Carnival rhythms.
Day 3: City Tour Rio
This morning we depart for our tour to Corcovado , Santa
Teresa & downtown Old Rio on board rugged four-wheel
drive jeeps and head through the soaring peaks of the Tijuca
National Forest . To the base of the imposing Statue of
Christ with arms outstretched over Rio on Corcovado
Mountain. This tour shows us the “must see” sights and
places that make Rio such a fascinating city! The views of the
ocean, city, and lagoon are spectacular from this vantage
point. Then the drive thru the charming Santa Teresa district.
This area, once favored by Rio 's wealthy and powerful but fell
into neglect after World War II. Today Santa Teresa is
enjoying a renaissance era as artists and bohemians who
have moved to the area are renovating this funky and colorful
part of Rio . Enjoy a group lunch at the historical Colombo
restaurant downtown. Balance of day at leisure.
Day 4: Rio De Janeiro
Day at leisure to enjoy this beautiful city
Day 5: Travel to Salvador Bahia
This morning, after breakfast and check-out, you are met by
your guide and transferred to the airport in time for your
domestic flight to Salvador. On arrival, you are met by your
guide and transferred to the MERCURE HOTEL, located in
front of Rio Vermelho Beach for a 4 night stay . This evening
you are escorted to the 18th century colonial complex of Solar
do Unhao which had its own sugar refinery, church, manor
house, and slave quarters. The show is presented in the old
stockrooms and is a showcase of the different African
traditions still so much alive in Bahia. See the sacred dances
of the Candomble, the Maculele, a stick and sword dance
from the cane fields; the dance of the Caboclo, an Amerindian
hunting dance; Capoeira, martial arts/ dance of Angolan
origin and the Samba de Roda, a spinning, swirling version of
this exuberant national dance. Dinner takes place at the
venue with a wide selection of typical and international
dishes. A spectacular welcome to Salvador!
Day 6: City Tour Salvador
This morning, after breakfast, we trace the African roots of
Salvador on an African-oriented historical city tour which
combines the newer, modern section and the older Historical
Center of Salvador, the Pelourinho area, so called after the
pillory which stood in the main square, in front of the central
slave market. We visit the Afro-Brazilian Museum that traces
the West African origins of the city. See the superb wooden,
sculpted panels of the orixás by Salvador 's most celebrated
artist, Carybé. We visit the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary,
the famous Black church, built with meager resources over a
period of almost 100 years.Stop for lunch at the great
Barravento Restaurant, located underneath a large sail-
shaped roof, offering alfresco dining on a patio overlooking
the beach where you may see as far as the Farol da Barra.
Before returning to the hotel, stop at the Mercado Modelo, a
handicraft market and the best place in Salvador for souvenirs
and shopping. Time to bargain!
Evening at leisure.
Day 7: Bembe do Mercado Celebration - Cachoeira
Morning at leisure.
Drive north out of the city and then head westwards, through
rolling hills to Cachoeira, the jewel of the Bahian hinterland
nestled in the deep valley of the Paraguaçu River where you
take a walking tour of the town, with an opportunity to browse
in some local wood carvers stores’. Like Salvador,
Candomblé plays an integral part in the life of the town,
epitomized by the Sisterhood of the Boa Morte, a sorority
which traces its origins back to the time of slavery.
Upon arrival, you are transferred to the POUSADA DO
CONVENTO. This beautiful historical hotel use to be a
convent.Your guide assists you with check-in, gives you a
briefing on the hotel and neighborhood and advises you of the
meeting time for this dinner and evening event.After early
dinner in Cachoeira, proceed on a 40-km drive to Santo
Amaro for the Bembe do Mercado celebrations.
The Bembe de Mercado originated on May 13 1888, the date of the
abolition of slavery in Brazil. Slave masters in the Bahian
hinterland, known as Reconcavo, did not accept the news from the
capitol and imprisoned some of the newly freed slaves, causing a
revolt which lead to the release of the imprisoned slaves. Ever
since, the date has been commemorated, except for 2 years when
personal tragedy befell the mayor who refused to authorize the
festival and a flood on another occasion. Needless to say
festivities nowadays continue uninterrupted. The apex of the
festival is always May 13. The market square in Santo Amaro is
transformed into the only street Candomblé in Brazil when Maes
and Pais de Santo celebrate the victory of the newly freed slaves in
1888. The celebrations usually begin at 8:00pm and continue into
the night.
On this Saturday night, adepts of the candomblé, filhas e filhos de
santo dance xerê do candomblé in honor of the deities in a
specially erected marquee (barracão) in front of the municipal
market in Santo Amaro. They do not incorporate the deities during
this dance. On this evening a present of flowers, perfumes,
mirrors and dolls is prepared for Yemanjá, to be offered for the
Sunday activities.
Day 8: Yemanja Celebration - Cabucu- Yemanja Festival
This morning, after breakfast and check-out, you are met by your
guide for an early departure to Santo Amaro where, once again,
the market square is host to the initial stages of today’s activities.
The present, prepared on the previous evening is transported to
the beach at Cabuçu, 20 kms away, accompanied by the filhas e
filhos de santo, along with the maes e paes de santo, where the
present is offered to the calm waters of the bay in honor of
Yemanjá.
After the Festival we return to Salvador's MERCURE HOTEL for
our final night in Brazil.
Day 9: Salvador de Bahia
This morning, after breakfast and check-out, you are met by your
guide for your Urban Development Tour. Like most Brazilian cities,
Salvador is has grown immensely, however not always in a
controlled fashion. This tour takes you to side of the city not always
seen by the majority of visitors to Salvador. Witness the different
realities of urban life for the fortunate and the less fortunate. This
tour ends in a local community, the Calabar, deep in the heart of
some of the most exclusive residential areas of Salvador. You are
met by the community leaders and are given a detailed
explanation of the work being done within the community. There is
primary school, a children’s day-care center, medical center and
small business project within the community itself. This is a
warming example of a community action.
From here, proceed to the airport in time for your domestic flight to
Sao Paulo International Airport. Upon arrival, connect to your
international flight to Miami.
Day 10: Miami
Arrive Miami International Airport at early morning, clear customs
and immigration.
Itinerary subject to change
Welcome home!
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