On the afternoon of July 5th, the National Historical Museum, located in the heart of Rio de Janeiro, hosted a unique celebration of Afro-Brazilian culture and resistance: the Àkàrà L'Ọyá Award. Organized by the president of the Confraria Oloyás, Vodúngán Kelly de Oyá, the event stood out not only for its elegance and impeccable organization but also for the deep cultural and spiritual significance it held for Rio's Afro-religious community.
The award, whose objective is to recognize and honor individuals who have significantly contributed to the preservation, promotion, and enrichment of Afro-Brazilian cultural and spiritual heritage, was a true tribute to the hard work and dedication of priests, priestesses, writers, artists, musicians, and actors. This event praised those on the front lines against prejudice and religious intolerance, reinforcing the importance of art and culture as pillars of identity and resistance for our people.
An afternoon of emotions and recognition
The ceremony began with an atmosphere of reverence and anticipation. The presence of Vodúngán Kelly de Oyá, president of the Confraria Oloyás, despite facing personal challenges, symbolized the strength and resilience that define the archetype of the orixá Oyá, and she shone with powerful words. The ceremonial presentation by Yalorisá Ìyáníláárí Élida de Oyá depicted the history of the Confraria as well as that of its founder.
Next, we had a performance by dancer Tito Santa Cruz and Ìyáníláárí Adriana de Oyá. At the end, the Oloyás confraternity joined the performance to the sound of our 'adaró,' or as it is also known in our circle, Iansã’s 'quebra-prato,' to distribute acarajé to all the guests.
Acarajé, the most popular dish of our ancestral cuisine, made from black-eyed peas and fried in palm oil, is a sacred food offered to Oyá. Its preparation reflects the vibrant and pulsing strength of this orixá. The distribution of acarajé during the event strengthened the spiritual connection with our ancestors’ traditions.
Each awardee had the opportunity to share their stories and contributions at the microphone, providing a mosaic of experiences and inspirations that touched all present. The diversity of roles and the depth of the speeches revealed the richness and complexity of Afro-Brazilian culture, rooted in tradition and constantly renewed by the creativity and community spirit present in our axé people.
Adaró in the courtyard of the National Historical Museum
The event concluded in an emotional atmosphere, with the sound of our drums echoing throughout the courtyard of the National Historical Museum. All the guests gathered to pay tribute to the orixá Oyá, singing the official hymn of the Confraria and other traditional songs of our religion. This moment was magical and brought a sense of unity and reverence, as we exalted the strength and ancestry that Oyá represents for us. Confraria Oloyá's celebrates its history and tradition
"It was a great honor to present the Àkàrà L'Ọyá trophy. Seeing my story and the story of the Oloyá’s confraternity told in such a loving and special way was emotional. To speak of Oyá, to hear her songs and rhythms, to see her represented in dance on stage through her movements, and everything she stands for—her food, the àkàrà being distributed to the audience as a blessing, everyone united in the same faith and respect—was truly moving and heartwarming. To have the privilege of honoring such important people who truly deserve recognition for their services and dedication to our religion and culture was undoubtedly an honor. Ending in the central courtyard of the National Historical Museum, with the sound of the drums playing Adaró and the Oloyá’s confraternity hymn, everyone dressed traditionally in their religious garments, singing, praising, and dancing for the orixá Oyá in a unified movement of faith and love for the sacred, is truly something to go down in history. I am grateful for everything the sacred provides me, to Ori, Esú, and Oyá for allowing me to live moments like this. Let the wind blow! Eparrey!"
Vodúngán Kelly de Oyá.
Partnerships that made a difference
The realization of this large-scale event with cultural relevance was made possible thanks to the collaboration of various institutions and individuals committed to valuing Afro-Brazilian heritage:
National Historical Museum: Essential in preserving and valuing cultural heritage, offering prestige and institutional support to the event.
Department of Environment and Climate: Provided support and emphasized the commitment to sustainability and environmental awareness, integrating the award with ecological and social responsibility principles through its management for traditional peoples.
Department of Religious Diversity: Provided support and reinforced the importance of respect and inclusion of all religious practices, ensuring that spiritual diversity was properly recognized.
Ministry of Culture: Offered institutional support and essential resources for the event, highlighting the central role of culture as the foundation of Afro-Brazilian identity and resistance.
Bem-te-vi Curatorship: Contributed its expertise in curatorship, ensuring the quality and significance of the event and promoting Brazilian culture through research, curation, and strategic content creation.
Rômulo Corleone Photography and Rômulo Corleone Design: Provided essential visual and aesthetic support, capturing the essence of the event.
Folha de Ouro Publishing House: Supported the publication and dissemination of knowledge about the honorees and their achievements, ensuring the stories celebrated were shared widely."
A celebration of art and ancestral magic
"As an Afro-documentary photographer and journalist, it was a privilege to witness, compose, and have my team, including photographer Yuri Paiva, capture each moment of this historic event. In my speech, I emphasized the importance of art as a tool for resistance and transformation. Art saves, shapes, and enriches both our cultural and spiritual circuits. I thanked Vodúngán Kelly de Oyá for allowing me to design and provide visual support for this award and reinforced my commitment to our ongoing projects.
The Àkàrà L'Ọyá Award was a manifesto of resistance, an act of celebration, and a symbol of unity. By recognizing and honoring those who fight for the preservation of our cultural and spiritual heritage, we reaffirm our commitment to the appreciation and perpetuation of Afro-Brazilian traditions.
The afternoon of July 5th will be remembered as a moment of greatness and inspiration, a testament to the strength and resilience of the Afro-Brazilian community, the Oloyas confraternity, and its president. May there be more editions, more stories, and more achievements, for our culture is alive, vibrant, and inexhaustible."
Rômulo Corleone
Visual Artist, Photographer, and Afro-documentary Journalist.
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