The History of Itacaré
Itacaré was living on the ressources that were around and those which were surrending the Indian village that it was originally. in 1530, the Portuguese landed on the coast and colonization begins with the implantation of comptoirs. The Jesuits were travelling with the first colonists and they convert the local population.
The Church and the Jesuits house in Itacaré were built in 1723. The story goes that during the colonization the Indians frequently attacked the village. That's why The Priests decided ton build a tunnel that connected the Church to the Jesuist'house where they could flee to hide in the hood.
Itacaré used to be the production center of cocoa as the entire region of Bahia. Itacaré Port was one of the main flow of the agricultural production of the Bresilian state until th 20th century (until the manna that represented the cocoa began to be depleted). In 1970 a sickness called la Vassoura de Bruxa or "broom witch" ruined all the plantations and became a threat for the population survival. The population of Itacaré decided then to open their village to tourism to be no more dependant of the cocoa cultivation.
By seeing the indegenous communitees the "naçao grapiuna" you can reconise the mixture of Indians, blacks and whites people who gave birth to the Brazilian nation that Jorge Amado affectionately called "the captive of this world".
Traditions :
Itacaré keeps alive the cultural traditions of Bahia. Several cultural party festivals takes place in all the Itacaré streets… those shows are made by Itacaré people for the Itacaré people.. shows are not made just to catch the tourists! the Itacaré people are really glad to welcome any tourists that want to share and explore authentic traditions.
In Itacaré 2 traditions are practiced : Capoeira and Candomblé. The Capoeira is an martial art and also a dance, Capoeira is a pure expression of the Afro-Brezilain'culture. In Itaré, 3 groups are practicing the regional Capoeira (an acrobatic and spectacular Capoeira) Luanda, Tribo do POrto and Fihlos de Zumbi. Each offer a daily training sessions (many children, young persons are attend and all are open to visitors).
CANDOMBLÉ :
Friday is the day of the color White in Bahia. This tradition is followed by everybody (wheather you're a Candomblé followers or not).
Candomblé is an ancient cult, a religion which was brought by African slaves dedicated to the Orixas, the Spirit of the nature from the fourth elements : earth, water, air, fire. Each Orixas has its corresponding in the Catholic Church with many features as the day of the week, colors, vestments, greetings and food. Sunday is the day of all the Orixas. Each person has to choose his favorite Orixa and pray for him and asked him his protection, good health and above all PEACE.The June celebration is practice since 1953.
This pagan tradition (originally from the northern hemisphere) is still alive in Itacaré as it is in all the northern part of Bazil. At the beginning this festival was created to celebrate the begining of the summer and the harvest period. During the 6th century, Catholics associated the event to the Saint John, in the 13th century the Portuguees added Saint Petre and Saint Antoine.
Today the celebration is made around large good feasts, music and dance.Every district has its special organisation and own spaces decorated with bamboo and covered with straw coconuts. We dance the Forro, we tasted the liquor genipapo, the canjica and many more specialities. It's a festival that you cannot miss if you are in Itacaré!
Gastronomy :
Small producers are engaged in the natural culture to provide quality thanks to the political initiatives taken to promote sustainable economic devlopment. Fruits and vegetables are following the order of the seasons and provided an excellent quality as all the fishes species & seafood production.
The Church and the Jesuits house in Itacaré were built in 1723. The story goes that during the colonization the Indians frequently attacked the village. That's why The Priests decided ton build a tunnel that connected the Church to the Jesuist'house where they could flee to hide in the hood.
By seeing the indegenous communitees the "naçao grapiuna" you can reconise the mixture of Indians, blacks and whites people who gave birth to the Brazilian nation that Jorge Amado affectionately called "the captive of this world".
Traditions :
Itacaré keeps alive the cultural traditions of Bahia. Several cultural party festivals takes place in all the Itacaré streets… those shows are made by Itacaré people for the Itacaré people.. shows are not made just to catch the tourists! the Itacaré people are really glad to welcome any tourists that want to share and explore authentic traditions.
In Itacaré 2 traditions are practiced : Capoeira and Candomblé. The Capoeira is an martial art and also a dance, Capoeira is a pure expression of the Afro-Brezilain'culture. In Itaré, 3 groups are practicing the regional Capoeira (an acrobatic and spectacular Capoeira) Luanda, Tribo do POrto and Fihlos de Zumbi. Each offer a daily training sessions (many children, young persons are attend and all are open to visitors).
CANDOMBLÉ :
Friday is the day of the color White in Bahia. This tradition is followed by everybody (wheather you're a Candomblé followers or not).
Candomblé is an ancient cult, a religion which was brought by African slaves dedicated to the Orixas, the Spirit of the nature from the fourth elements : earth, water, air, fire. Each Orixas has its corresponding in the Catholic Church with many features as the day of the week, colors, vestments, greetings and food. Sunday is the day of all the Orixas. Each person has to choose his favorite Orixa and pray for him and asked him his protection, good health and above all PEACE.The June celebration is practice since 1953.
This pagan tradition (originally from the northern hemisphere) is still alive in Itacaré as it is in all the northern part of Bazil. At the beginning this festival was created to celebrate the begining of the summer and the harvest period. During the 6th century, Catholics associated the event to the Saint John, in the 13th century the Portuguees added Saint Petre and Saint Antoine.
Today the celebration is made around large good feasts, music and dance.Every district has its special organisation and own spaces decorated with bamboo and covered with straw coconuts. We dance the Forro, we tasted the liquor genipapo, the canjica and many more specialities. It's a festival that you cannot miss if you are in Itacaré!
Gastronomy :
Small producers are engaged in the natural culture to provide quality thanks to the political initiatives taken to promote sustainable economic devlopment. Fruits and vegetables are following the order of the seasons and provided an excellent quality as all the fishes species & seafood production.
