ILÊ AIYÊ
AROUND THE WORLD
Dance, music, art, social struggle and blackness. These are some of the words that define Ilê Aiyê, the first Afro group in Brazil that, in 2025, will take its rhythmic-musical show to several more cities in the United States between the months of August and September. Much more than a show, Ilê Aiyê's performance is a celebration of Afro-Brazilian culture, which enchants with the power of its singing, the beauty of its Afro dance, the moving percussion and the fact that it brings to the stage elements that revolutionized the fight of black people against racism in Brazil and around the world.
2025 Tour
SCHEDULE
August 31st | NEW YORK - NY
September 1st | WILLIAMSBURG - VIRGINIA
September 2nd | WILLIAMSBURG - VIRGINIA
September 3rd | WASHINGTON DC
September 4th | WASHINGTON DC
September 5th | WASHINGTON DC
September 6th | MIAMI - FLORIDA
September 7th | HOUSTON - TEXAS
September 9th | SALISBURY - MARYLAND
September 10th | SALISBURY - MARYLAND
THE ILÊ AIYÊ
CELEBRATED
50 YEARS
One of the most important Afro groups in Brazil, Ilê Aiyê celebrated the 50th anniversary of its first parade through the streets of Salvador in 2025. The milestone, which took place in 1975, during the military dictatorship, marked the defense of the valorization of black identity and resistance against racism. To celebrate this trajectory, the group took the theme “Kenya: Cradle of Humanity” to the 2025 Carnival, highlighting the historical and cultural importance of one of the first territories inhabited by human beings. On the occasion, Ilê also paid tribute to historical Kenyan figures, such as Dedan Kimathi, Wangari Maathai and Jomo Kenyatta, symbols of resistance against colonial oppression.
Ilê begins its participation in the festival on Saturday (03/01), with the traditional ceremony of the group's departure from Curuzu. The event is a ritual of faith with the ialorixá of Terreiro Ilê Axé Jitolu, Hildelice Benta dos Santos, opening the paths and blessing the group. On this occasion, the sounds of atabaques and drums mix with the songs of exaltation of ancestry and the orixás on the way up the hill, in addition to the bowls of corn, popcorn and pemba powder, and the white doves dedicated to Oxalá.
After the traditional ritual of the block's exit from Ladeira do Curuzu, the Ilê Aiyê trio continues their celebration to Plano Inclinado da Liberdade. From there, the members take a break until they meet again, hours later, at Corredor da Vitória, where the entity begins its first parade on the official circuit, Circuito Osmar, at 2 am on Sunday (02/03), heading towards Praça da Piedade.
Photo: Joa Souza/GOVBA
On Monday (3/03), at 6 pm, the group will gather at Corredor da Vitória, where the parade will begin at 7 pm at Circuito Osmar, in Campo Grande. Led by the distinctive sound of Band'Aiyê, the group will be accompanied by a procession celebrating the theme of Carnival, with a special highlight being the float that will be transformed into an altar for the newly elected queen and princesses. On Tuesday (4/03), the group will hold its third and final Carnival parade, gathering at 6 pm at Corredor da Vitória and starting at 7 pm at Circuito Osmar.
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