Baianas from Samba and Candomblé. The Lavagem da Sapucaí as a political performance

Based on the observation of the decreasing number of baianas in samba schools, this visual essay explores the Lavagem da Sapucaí as a political performance that articulates Afro-Brazilian religiosity, cultural memory, and symbolic disputes in public space. Held since 2011 as a purification ritual of the avenue where Rio de Janeiro’s carnival parades take place, the ceremony is led by women from Afro-Brazilian religious traditions. The photographs presented here document the 2022 edition, marked by the resumption of the carnival calendar after a long critical period - shaped not only by the COVID-19 pandemic but also by an adverse political context.

Keywords:
Lavagem da Sapucaí; baianas; carnival; samba school; performance