Bloco Afro, Salvador Map

This map highlights the neighbourhoods, groups and communities where Blocos Afro thrive. It shows how rhythm and culture shape space, connect people and sustain Afro‑Brazilian identity in Salvador.

Map of Salvador’s blocos-afros neighbourhoods, showing key locations where samba-reggae and Afro-Brazilian resistance movements emerged: Periperi (Ara Ketu), Pirajó (Cortejo Afro), Itapuã (Malê de Baiano), Ribeira (Muzenza), Curuzu-Liberdade (Ilê Aiyê), Liberdade (Olujobá), Pereira Vilela (Afrekete), Pelourinho (Olodum and Dida), Engenho Velho de Brotas (Badauê) and Candeal (Timbalada).

Map of Salvador’s blocos-afros neighbourhoods: Liberdade, Pelourinho and Campo Grande, birthplaces of samba-reggae resistance.

Key to Samba Reggae's Roots:

Across Salvador, each neighbourhood carries its own story. From coastal districts to hilltop communities, these are the places where music became movement, and movement became resistance.

Periperi: Ara Ketu (1980s) – fuses samba‑reggae with Ijexá rhythms

1. Pirajó: Cortejo Afro (1970s) – marches traditional Afro beats through working‑class streets

Itapuã: Malê de Baiano (1970s) – carries Ilê Aiyê‑style resistance beachside

Ribeira: Muzenza (1980s) – pioneers female‑led blocos from the docklands

2. Curuzu‑Liberdade: Ilê Aiyê (1974) – first all‑Black bloco

Liberdade: Olujobá (1980s) – guards the Afro‑Bahian spiritual core

Pereira Vilela: Afrekete (1990s) – channels feminine ancestral power

3. Pelourinho: Olodum (1979) – invents samba‑reggae

Pelourinho: Dida (1980s) – brings raw community energy to the historic centre

Engenho Velho de Brotas: Badauê (1980s) – mixes capoeira and samba

4. Candeal: Timbalada (1990s) – Carlinhos Brown globalises samba‑reggae