#SouManaus2023 urban space strengthens female protagonism

Female protagonism

Despite being newly created, in six months, the collective welcomed 45 women

She started making an impact. She said loudly and clearly that “the cheapest meat on the market is black meat”, in reference to Elza Soares. DJ Magga Rocha, 29 years old, opened the stage in the urban space on the second night of the largest integrated arts festival in the North region, #SouManaus Passo a Paço 2023, held by Manaus City Hall, this Wednesday, 6th.

The DJ was one of the women who performed the night in the urban space. During a break in the set-list, she spoke, defending the emphasis on the black movement at the festival.

“Our fight is every day against racism. So, being able to stand on a stage like this and raise our agenda is something great, because we know that our country still criminalizes black and indigenous people. Getting this space at the biggest cultural festival in our city, if not even this century, is gratifying”,

he said.

Afterwards, the Associação de Mulheres em Conexão presented several capoeira duels. “We put women to swing. From oldest to youngest, without distinction. It’s a way to empower them”explains Jardine de Carvalho, coordinator of the collective.

Despite being recently created, in six months, the collective welcomes 45 women, who, once a month, meet at Jardine’s house, in the Cidade de Deus neighborhood, North Zone, to duel.

“They are part of eight groups, which come from Aleixo, Cidade Nova, Novo Aleixo, Zumbi dos Palmares, Nova Cidade, Alvorada, Coroado and Centro. There are no barriers for us. The will to fight is greater”,

defend.

“We see the initiative as a way to prevent cases of domestic violence and take them out of their comfort zone, making them masters of their own lives. It’s a women’s collective”,

adds.

They ranged from “this quilombo is mine, this quilombo is yours. This quilombo is ours”, for “women in the circle are not for decoration. Women in the circle are for playing.” In alternating duels, experienced women played against teenagers and even children. For the audience, an engaging performance.

“You can’t help but stop and watch. They have swagger and are well-matched. I found the presentation by a group of women only interesting,”

reports Valzinha Nunes, 48 ​​years old.

“My taste for local performances began in Largo São Sebastião. It was the kickstart for me to start liking and appreciating our rich culture even more”he added.

In music, Luísa Ribeiro, known as “Corama”, presented a diverse repertoire focused on national pop music.

“I didn’t expect the audience to be so receptive to my presentation. It’s a totally different audience. Precisely because we have this diverse audience, we have put together a repertoire that is super accessible to all ages and styles”,

said Luísa Ribeiro.

A curious fact, according to her, is that “Corama” was the artistic name given by the music producer, in allusion to an Amazonian plant. “It matched the music, the sound”, reveals.

In its eighth edition, the festival, held by Manaus City Hall, promoted by ManausCult, promotes various cultural segments, with, this year alone, a significant increase of more than 580% in the number of local artists on stages compared to the first edition, in 2015.

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