African Traditions in Bahia - Brazil Tours
of the Recôncavo of Bahia.
Developed by Kenneth Dossar Ph.D.
African Traditions in Brazil Bahia
is a cultural history tour of the Recôncavo
of Bahia. Developed by Professor Kenneth Dossar, African Traditions
in Salvador Bahia is designed for individuals and groups interested
in the African presence in Brazil -- particularly Bahia. The programs’
goals are educational and engaging. All programs are based in the
magical city of Salvador with its stunning, rich, natural beauty,
and spiritual energy. From there, the programs move out into the
surrounding region. Study tours are well suited for high school
and college students, researchers, artists, dancers, musicians,
and community cultural organizations.
Brazil has the largest population of African
descendants living outside of Africa. Bahia, the cultural
capitol of Brazil, was for many years the main entry port for enslaved
Africans transported to Brazil. The country has a rich cultural
legacy that is rooted in the African traditions brought there during
the more than three hundred years of trans-Atlantic slavery. Today,
Bahia is a vital center for many contemporary cultural manifestations
and political movements created by African Brazilians. Bahia remains
a rich and essential repository for African derived cultural practices
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
African Traditions in Brazil was
created by Dr. Kenneth Dossar, an arts consultant and cultural historian,
who has collaborated closely with numerous traditional leaders and
cultural/arts organizations in developing public programs which
explore the common heritage of people of African descent. He has
a doctorate in African American Studies from Temple University where
he worked as assistant to the renowned Afro-Brazilian scholar Abdias
do Nascimento.
Since 1983, Professor Dossar has traveled to Brazil
to research Bahia’s African heritage. Dr. Dossar has also
performed research in the Caribbean, and Cuba on the continuance
of African traditions in music, dance, belief systems and other
cultural practices. He developed, and teaches a variety of courses
in Latin American, African American, and Atlantic World Studies.
His photos of the African Brazilian martial art -
Capoeira Angola appear on the Smithsonian CD Capoeira and in John
Lewis’ book: Ring of Liberation. His recent solo photographic
exhibition entitled “Spiritual Mothers”
was presented by the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts at
the University of Pennsylvania.
Through the Partners of the Americas and other organizations, he
oversaw numerous exchange programs between Brazil and the United
States. Professor Dossar consults national cultural arts organizations
including the American Museum of Natural History, the Caribbean
Culture Center, and Dance Brazil in New York. He works with the
Capoeira Foundation, the International Capoeira Angola Foundation,
and regional cultural institutions including the African American
Museum in Philadelphia, and the Folklife Center. He currently evaluates
a variety of cultural programs for the Pennsylvania Humanities Council.
Dr. Dossar is a founding member of the US/Brazil Center for Culture
and Education. He has produced an array of public events including
film festivals, exhibits, music and dance events, and lecture series.
His radio program of African Atlantic music – Under on Sun
– aired for seven years on Temple University’s radio
network.
Professor Dossar created and directs the Temple in Brazil
Study Programs which takes students from North American
universities to study African Culture and Portuguese in Brazil.
He continues to lecture and develop public programs on the African
presence in the Atlantic World.
Tours detail aspects of the multifaceted cultural
heritage of Bahia. The programs focus on traditions
coming from West Africa, principally from the Yoruba;
and on those of the BaKongo of West Central Africa. and explore
contemporary manifestations of these traditions. Program participants
examine: resistance movements, spiritual traditions, popular music
and dance, politics, social organizations, and popular festivals.
Bahia The soul of Brazil
This beautiful northeastern state is the most quintessentially
‘Brazilian’ region of the country.
Whichever Brazil you are looking for – beautiful deserted
beaches, African heritage, colonial architecture, dramatic national
parks, exotic cuisine, exhilarating music or the greatest carnival
on Earth – Bahia has it in abundance and we at African
American Travel Agency would be delighted to show it to you.
Brazil has its history complete of differents cultures. The most
present is the African Culture Traditions, Diaspora, Heritage, where
we can see it in a lot of Afro popular celebrations.
Our services not only include traditional travel services, but
non-traditional ones as well. Among them are:
advertising and promotion of tours and workshops
we can provide details on cultural nuances
establish networking opportunities for business travelers overseas
provide cultural and education tours and services
hold conferences and handle event planning / management
design full-color graphics, brochures and flyers
we have an archive of extensive photographic files with one-of-a-kind
images
we can produce multimedia presentations of desired destinations
As Paparutas, on the Ilha do Paty in Bahia's Bay...
The Ilha do Paty was once the location of a quilombo (village or
collection of villages founded by runaway slaves from the region's
numerous sugarcane plantations), and the quilombo continues there
to this day (although, like Brazil's other quilombos, it is no longer
known as such, the currently used term being remanescente do quilombo
("remains of a quilombo"). In English that sounds dead,
and these places are very much alive.
....dancing to Bahian samba (samba de roda) with dishes
typical to the region.
Because
of its inauspicious history, Brazil is an important cultural touchstone
for many African Americans yearning to discover their roots. If you come,
you'll find many tours that specialize in celebrating the African legacy.
From the incredible architectural skill displayed in its churches to the
music, intricate lacework, and martial arts, you'll see many traditions
imported from Africa. The best way to experience Brazil is through an
extended stay. Consider purchasing a resort here through a timeshare
resale. In addition to being larger than most hotel rooms, many companies,
like Wyndham
timeshare, allow you to exchange your suite for another in its network.
Music & Jazz
Sanba Fests, Arts, Dance, Black Market Place, Events, Meetings and Conferences,
Community Celebrating. Family
Reunions Group Holiday, Events Calendar & Conferences, Journeys.
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