An advertisement about Black Awareness Day in São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil.A march during Consciência Negra day, São Paulo, 2008.
In Brazil, Black Consciousness Day (Portuguese: Dia da Consciência Negra) is observed annually on November 20 as a day to recognize Afro-Brazilians and their struggle to achieve racial equality.[1]
Black Awareness Day has been celebrated since the 1960s and has amplified its events in the last few years. Originally, it was celebrated on May 13 (the date of abolition of slavery in Brazil). It was later moved to November 20 to honour Zumbi's death, and is sometimes called Zumbi Day. On December 21, 2023, legislation was enacted designating November 20 as a national holiday.[2]
Events
Members of the organization "Black Movement" (the largest of its kind in Brazil) organize educational and fun events involving mainly children of African descent. Their focus during these events is to dissolve the perception of Africans' inferiority in society. Other "hot topics" in the Black community during the Day of Black Awareness are the assimilation of African-Brazilian laborers with Caucasian-Brazilian and other laborers, ethnic identity, and black pride.
Similar days celebrating racial groups in Brazil
The "Day of the Caboclo" (Dia do Caboclo) is observed annually on June 24, in celebration of the contributions and identity of the original caboclos and their descendants. This date is an official public holiday in the State of Amazonas.
