Black Women Shaped Salvador: A Living Legacy of Strength and Culture

In Bahia, Brazil, the spirit of Afro-Brazilian culture is felt deeply in every street, rhythm, and ritual. At the heart of this cultural richness is the legacy of Black women—who have not only shaped Salvador’s vibrant community but have also created spaces where Blackness and womanhood thrive. From their roles as spiritual leaders to their entrepreneurial hustle and influence on fashion and music, these women have built a foundation of power and pride that continues to resonate today.

Iemanjá: The Heart of Bahia's Spirituality

Bahia’s spiritual practices are as complex as they are beautiful, deeply rooted in Candomblé, a faith that blends African, Catholic, and Indigenous traditions. At the center of this spiritual world stands Iemanjá, the goddess of the sea—who embodies femininity, strength, and protection for Black women. Iemanjá is more than just a figure in a religion; she is a symbol of the power, beauty, and resilience of Black womanhood in Bahia and across Brazil.

Travelers during the Ancestral Spirits trip in February 2024.

An annual festival in her honor, Festa de Iemanjá, is one of the most significant events of the year in Salvador. Held on February 2nd at the shores of the city, thousands of people come together to offer flowers, gifts, and prayers to the Goddess, honoring her influence in their lives. The festival is a moment of profound connection, where the spirituality and strength of Black women are celebrated by thousands who gather in reverence to Iemanjá. It’s a celebration not just of a deity but of the enduring power of Black women to shape their own destinies. This festival is the centerpiece of a yearly pilgrimage that I host in Salvador called Ancestral Spirits: A Celebration of Iemanjá.

Entrepreneurship and Legacy: The Street Food Revolution

Long before the global spotlight shone on Bahian cuisine, it was Black women who created the thriving street food culture that enamores locals and tourists alike. During and after slavery, women like the Baiana do Acarajé, who sold fried bean cakes, built businesses from the ground up. These women became not just food vendors, but symbols of resistance, creativity, and empowerment, finding financial independence in a society that excluded them; and they did it all dressed elegantly and wearing gold jewelry denoting their success.

Today, the legacy of these women endures, with acarajé still being a staple of Salvador’s street food scene. It’s a powerful reminder of how Black women in Bahia have always found ways to create and build, even when faced with tremendous odds. Their entrepreneurial spirit is woven into the fabric of Bahia’s culture, and their businesses continue to play a vital role in the city’s economy.

Maria Felipa played a significant role in the battle against the Portuguese, leading to Brazil's independence.

Revolutionary Women: From Resistance to Cultural Icons

Throughout Bahia’s history, Black women have been at the forefront of resistance, shaping both social and political movements. Maria Felipa, a lesser-known hero of Brazil’s independence fight, led a group of Afro-Brazilian women who fought fiercely against Portuguese colonization. Her bravery and leadership are a testament to the role Black women have always played in shaping the future of Bahia and beyond.

Beyond the fight for freedom, women like Tia Ciata born in Bahia, helped lay the groundwork for Brazil’s samba culture in Rio de Janeiro, nurturing the rhythms that would later come to define the country’s music scene. Tia Ciata’s home became a gathering space for musicians and spiritual leaders, helping to shape the cultural landscape of Rio. Her influence extended far beyond the walls of her home, contributing to the creation of a sound and movement that would reverberate across Brazil.

These women’s contributions extend far beyond their immediate communities. They’ve set trends in fashion, music, and social norms—helping to redefine what it means to be a Black woman in Bahia and, by extension, the world.

Negra Jhô, former Ebony Queen and hairstylist embraces Elisabeth, an AfroBuenaventura traveler after crowning her with a handcrafted turban in January 2025.

Black Women Setting Trends: Fashion, Music, and Aesthetics

In a city like Salvador, Black women continue to set the cultural tone. From Ilê Aiyê, the first Afro-Brazilian bloco of Carnival, to the fashion-forward women who elevate African heritage through their style, Bahia has always been a place where Black women shape the aesthetic landscape. Through their fashion, music, and dance, they have established an unmistakable aesthetic that reflects their power, pride, and cultural identity.

Whether it’s through the colors and patterns worn at Carnival or the rhythms that echo in the streets, Black women in Bahia have always been at the forefront of cultural trends. They’ve created a vision of beauty and strength that influences not just Salvador, but the entire world.

A Legacy of Strength and Connection

The cultural legacy of Black women in Bahia is not just a history lesson; it’s a living, breathing force that continues to shape the city today. Whether through spirituality, entrepreneurship, or the creation of culture, these women have paved the way for generations to come. Salvador stands as a testament to their resilience, creativity, and leadership.

It’s in these moments that the true power of Bahia’s Black women is felt, and where the past, present, and future come together to celebrate a culture that is unyielding and beautiful.