{"id":2646,"date":"2020-12-07T17:53:25","date_gmt":"2020-12-07T16:53:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/?p=2646"},"modified":"2026-05-16T16:56:05","modified_gmt":"2026-05-16T15:56:05","slug":"street-art-in-salvador-de-bahia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/universvoyage.com\/en\/street-art-a-salvador-de-bahia\/","title":{"rendered":"Street art in Salvador de Bahia"},"content":{"rendered":"


Whether in the Pelourinho district or in more outlying parts of the capital of the State of Bahia, Brazil's first capital from 1548 to 1763, many artists colour the walls with frescoes inspired by Bahian culture, marked by its visceral attachment to Africa. Discover them in pictures.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Brazil.
Brazil. Salvador de Bahia. Street art.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

These include images inspired by candombl\u00e9, a curious blend of the African Yoruba rites of slaves brought to Brazil between the 16th and 19th centuries and the Christian beliefs of the Portuguese colonisers. These cults, which are increasingly practised today despite being banned by the Catholic Church and the dictatorship of the 1960s and 1970s, permeate the popular culture of graffiti artists and street artists, especially in Salvador de Bahia, which was one of the largest ports of disembarkation for slaves.

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\"Brazil.
Brazil. Salvador de Bahia. Street art.<\/em> A goddess who opens her arms to all skin colours.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\"Brazil.
Brazil. Salvador de Bahia. Street art. Is this mermaid mami wata?<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Orishas (or orixas), such as Yemanja the goddess of the sea, are displayed on the walls.
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\"Brazil.
Brazil. Salvador de Bahia. Street art. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\"Brazil.
Brazil. Salvador de Bahia. Street art. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Another source of inspiration is Capoeira, a subtle blend of martial art and dance. Originating in Africa during slavery, it is an integral part of Brazilian culture. It is a formidable fighting art that combines strength and beauty, grace and flexibility, speed and cunning.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Brazil.
Brazil. Salvador de Bahia. Street art. <\/em>
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\"Brazil.
Brazil. Salvador de Bahia. Street art. Detail.<\/em>
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\"Brazil.
Brazil. Salvador de Bahia. Street art. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n


Finally, there's the drink, particularly the cerveja, which flows freely on festival days and inspires some graffiti artists without confining them to a restricted universe.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Brazil.
Brazil. Salvador de Bahia. Street art.<\/em> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\"Brazil.
Brazil. Salvador de Bahia. Street art. <\/em>
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\"Brazil.
Brazil. Salvador de Bahia. Street art. Self-portrait.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Text and Photos : <\/strong>Brigitte Postel<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other Brazil topics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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