Celebrating indigenous ethnicities, ancestral crafts are highlighted at the Bahia Fair, until Sunday (28)

3

The ancestral crafts of the Tupinambá, Pataxó Hã-Hã-Hãe, Kariri-Xocó, Kiriri, Pataxó, Tuxá and Kaimbé communities are highlighted at the Bahia Crafts Fair – Indigenous Edition, which began this Friday (26) and continues until Sunday (28). Held at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Bahia (MAC_BA), the event is a celebration during the month dedicated to the appreciation of original peoples, allowing the public to delve into the cultural richness of these ethnicities, with the encounter between tradition and contemporaneity, revealing a unique essence.

During the three days of the fair, from 4pm to 10pm, visitors will have the opportunity to discover and purchase, directly, products made by artisans from the indigenous ethnicities of Bahia, who inhabit the territories of identity of Velho Chico, Semi-Árido Nordeste II , Itaparica, Metropolitan of Salvador, Litoral Sul, Costa do Descobrimento and Extreme South of Bahia. This edition of the Crafts Fair is an initiative of the Secretariat of Labor, Employment, Income and Sports of Bahia (Setre), through the Coordination for the Promotion of Crafts (CFA), in partnership with the Associação Fábrica Cultural.

“Investing in the appreciation and promotion of handicrafts from indigenous communities preserves our culture and contributes to the generation of income and the economic strengthening of these populations”, stated the secretary of Setre, Davidson Magalhães.

From the Porto Seguro region, Marilandia Pataxó highlighted the importance of holding fairs like this for the indigenous community and how the support from state bodies contributes to the consolidation and continuity of craft production: “events like this not only provide us with visibility and opportunities sales, but they also strengthen our cultural identity and encourage the preservation of traditional techniques, ensuring the perpetuation of our art for future generations”.

In addition to valuing the manual skills of artisans, the exhibition offers a dive into the culture, tradition and identity of the region’s indigenous peoples. The materials used range from seeds and natural fibers to wood and clay, resulting in pieces that are true expressions of the cultural and historical richness of these ethnicities. The event also has the support of the Secretariat for the Promotion of Racial Equality (Sepromi) and the Secretariat of Culture (Secult-BA), through the Institute of Artistic and Cultural Heritage of Bahia (Ipac).

In addition to exhibitions and sales of artisanal products, the fair also features a diverse cultural program. On Friday (26), at 5pm, the stage was livened up by the performance of Akuã Pataxó, while on Saturday (27), at the same time, Beatriz Tuxá will bring her art and culture to the public present. There will also be video screenings from the “Who does it?” series, with testimonials from artisans, and presentations of indigenous songs and rituals throughout the days of the event.

Ângela Guimarães, head of the Secretariat for the Promotion of Racial Equality of the State of Bahia (Sepromi), highlighted the relevance of celebrating the artistic and cultural manifestations of the indigenous peoples of Bahia: “it is essential to recognize and honor the cultural richness of the original peoples, promoting spaces like this fair to disseminate and value their unique expressions”.

Documentation

During the Bahia Crafts Fair, 100 artisan cards were delivered, free of charge, to indigenous communities. These documents are issued after the artisan is registered in the Brazilian Crafts Registration Information System (Sicab) and approved by the State Coordination for the Promotion of Crafts. Benefits include participation in national and international craft fairs, workshops and courses, as well as access to tax incentives in some states.

Reporter: Tácio Santos/GOVBA