{"id":4052,"date":"2025-07-30T08:22:19","date_gmt":"2025-07-30T11:22:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.djamilaribeiro.com.br\/?p=4052"},"modified":"2025-08-02T08:18:12","modified_gmt":"2025-08-02T11:18:12","slug":"professor-djamila-ribeiro-moved-by-meeting-vovo-cici-in-salvador-during-black-womens-july-events","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.djamilaribeiro.com.br\/en\/professor-djamila-ribeiro-moved-by-meeting-vovo-cici-in-salvador-during-black-womens-july-events\/","title":{"rendered":"Professor Djamila Ribeiro moved by meeting Vov\u00f3 Cici in Salvador during Black Women\u2019s July events"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cAsking for Vov\u00f3 Cici\u2019s blessing was a gift<\/strong>,\u201d declared Professor Djamila Ribeiro, visibly moved after meeting the \u00e8gbomi<\/em> of Il\u00ea Ax\u00e9 Op\u00f4 Aganj\u00fa, Nancy de Souza e Silva\u2014better known as Vov\u00f3 Cici (Grandma Cici)<\/em> de Oxal\u00e1\u2014during the Mulheres Negras em Movimento<\/em>\u00a0(Black Women in Movement<\/em>) event in Salvador on July 28.<\/p>\n

The Brazilian storyteller and Candombl\u00e9 leader took part in a panel right after the Brazilian philosopher and made a point of blessing her with a prayer. The gesture deeply touched Djamila: \u201cAs a woman who writes about orix\u00e1s, Vov\u00f3 Cici is a great source of inspiration and knowledge. I am immensely grateful for this moment,\u201d wrote the professor on her social media.<\/p>\n

Vov\u00f3 Cici\u2019s presence on stage and in the audience symbolized the strength of ancestral knowledge carried by Black women. At 82, the Yoruba tradition master and researcher at the Pierre Verger Foundation is recognized for her work in preserving Afro-Brazilian oral traditions and safeguarding the cultural memory of the povo de santo<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Initiated into Oxal\u00e1 in 1972, Vov\u00f3 Cici was once the direct assistant of ethnologist Pierre Verger and is the author of the book Cozinhando Hist\u00f3rias<\/em> (Cooking Stories<\/em>), which combines recipes, myths and memories of Candombl\u00e9. In 2022, she was awarded the title of Citizen of Salvador by the City Council.<\/p>\n

The meeting between the two intellectuals took place during the Black Women in Movement Circuit<\/em>, organized by the Salvador City Hall through the Municipal Department of Culture and Tourism (Secult). The first edition of the project, which is part of the calendar for the International Day of Black Latin American and Caribbean Women (July 25), has been institutionalized as an annual public policy.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeing in Salvador is symbolic. This city brings so many women who are references in the struggle, like Maria Felipa and so many contemporaries. It is a great joy to be part of this movement,\u201d Djamila said during the panel moderated by journalist Silvana Oliveira.<\/p>\n

The philosopher also highlighted the need for permanent actions to combat racism: \u201cBlack women are in motion in all areas of society, but they need to be seen and supported so we can collectively move forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

Days earlier, on July 25, Djamila took part in the Encontros Negros (<\/em>Black Encounters \u2013 Special July 25)<\/em> event at the Bahia State Central Library. The free event, organized by the cultural production company Umbu Comunica\u00e7\u00e3o & Cultura, attracted a full audience for a roundtable discussion on the theme \u201cWhy do we fight?\u201d.<\/p>\n

Moderated by Bahia journalist Val Benvindo, the debate reflected on ancestry, resistance and the leadership of Black women in the Americas. \u201cThese gatherings reaffirm our collective strength and show that fighting structural racism is urgent,\u201d Djamila said, stressing the urgency of collective and continuous action against racial inequality.<\/p>\n

The Black Women\u2019s July agenda in Salvador also included poetry events, workshops and guided tours in cultural spaces around the city. During Black Women in Movement<\/em>, activities were held at the Casa das Hist\u00f3rias de Salvador, the Galeria Mercado and the State Public Archive, all with sign language and audio description accessibility.<\/p>\n

Place of Speech<\/strong><\/p>\n

In Where We Stand<\/em> (English edition of Lugar de Fala<\/em>), Professor Djamila Ribeiro reflects on the importance of recognizing who has the legitimacy to narrate stories and produce knowledge from lived experiences. She emphasizes that speaking from the perspective of Black women is a key premise of Black feminism. The meeting with Vov\u00f3 Cici reinforces this perspective.<\/p>\n

July 25 also marks Salvador\u2019s Black Women\u2019s Day and Brazil\u2019s National Tereza de Benguela Day.<\/p>\n

The organizers of Black Encounters<\/em> have already confirmed that the next edition will take place later this year, in November, during Black Consciousness Month.<\/p>\n

Check out Instagram posts from the events below:<\/p>\n

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Uma publica\u00e7\u00e3o compartilhada por Umbu \u2022 Comunica\u00e7\u00e3o e Cultura\ud83c\udf48 (@umbu_comunicacao)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n