Consciência Negra Week Celebrations Picture 6

More information on Consciencia Negra Week Celebrations Photo by: Prefeitura de Olinda

This holiday is a recent addition to a city that loves to celebrate and was first introduced in January 2003 via a new law.   The Day of Black Consciousness is celebrated on November 20th of each year and was part of a law that made it compulsory to teach about the history of Afro-Brazilian culture.  This law impacts 262 cities throghout the country and is aimed at promoting racial equality.  The week in which this holiday takes place is also part of Black Awareness Week.  

Schools and groups promote lectures, educational activities and parades all over the country during the week.  The states with the largest number of cities that participate on the November 20th holiday celebration, include Mato Grosso and Rio de Janeiro. 

November 20th was also chosen because it marks the death of Zumbi dos Palmares, who was killed in 1695 after being denounced and captured by the Portuguese, and also marks the  end of the Quilombo dos Palmares.

At the assembly of the Congress of Black and Conneb, held in Sao Paulo, the assembly had the support of many leaders who already participated in the Union of Black Equality (UNEGRO), and they proposed that the day of November 20 become a national holiday to help promote and extend the activities of Black Awareness Week.

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