Hummingbird of nilopolis

by Kithi

Rio de Janeiro, February 23, 2020

“What makes this school different from all others is the love that we have for this pavilion. That's what makes us come here every Thursday to sing. It is what makes the shed work even in times of difficulty ... ”

With this phrase Gabriel David, from the Beija-Flor family , started his speech in the last rehearsal of 2020, before the parade in Sapucaí.

People heard the brief words of encouragement and strength for the next minute to sing and samba nonstop for about five hours. The strength required for the official parade is part of the rehearsal.

The announced love goes beyond the walls of the pavilion and reaches even those who do not like carnival. The Nilopolitan people recognize the importance of the school, which also offers cultural activities to the community throughout the year.

Being from Bahia in this place is a differential that influences the reception, I was received with great affection by all, without exception, being able to attest to what the lyrics of the local composer Mestre Osório Lima are true.

“Nilópolis land of magic, who is from Nilópolis is the same as being from Bahia”

And it is this magic that fuels the faith of a syncretic nation that takes to the streets, in the form of a samba school, carrying a message of courage and confidence in the Divinities that lead the people.

“If this street were mine” brings two choruses, one that reveres the Orisha Exu , the teacher, the movement, the one who guides the paths of the streets.

“Ê Laroyê Ina Mojubá

Adake Exu oh, oh, oh

Hold the people that the people own the street

Hey, run, the street belongs to Beija-Flor!”

And the other one who speaks of the faith of those who go on pilgrimage ask for or thank miracles for their lives.

“Nilopolitan in pilgrimage

Faith guides me! Faith guides me!”

The video shows a little of the rehearsal that is performed numerous times before the carnival. Images and editing: Kithi

Defended by Neguinho da Beija-Flor, the oldest interpreter / puller in activity to parade this year, the samba is chilling.

For Farid Abrahão David, the city's mayor, the religious context is very important, see in the video below what he talks about this year's samba-enredo.

Farid Abrahão David. Images: Kithi and Oba Adejuyigbe Adefunmi / Edition: Kithi

Beija-Flor, a school that made the world know Nilópolis

The history of the samba school told by composer Mazzim Mazamba speaks of the trajectory of a simple people who learned to conquer their space among the champions.

The path started with a carnival block in 1948 gains strength when Nelson assumes the presidency of the association and then, in 1972, his brother Anísio Abrahão David enters as a sponsor.

The court began to be transformed. It was cemented, it had toilets, a sewer network, a place to store the instruments, it changed the fence for a brick ... those who lived there were curious about the work and followed it step by step until the opening day came when the court filled up.

The investment in infrastructure contributed to the increase in the number of components, but the turning point only happened with the arrival of Joaozinho Trinta who began his journey in 1976 with the plot in honor of the animal game.

Letícia sings an excerpt of her father Gilson Castro's samba "Sonhar com Rei da Leão"

In 1978, already in the first group, Joazinho Trinta decided to innovate and launched the proposal of the plot to be "Creation of the World According to the Nagô Tradition". The samba that has Mazzim as one of the composers wins first place among the best samba schools in Rio de Janeiro.

"Three years we were in the first group we were champions in the middle of the big ones. A small school won the most famous in Rio. It was that uproar. Like a school that came from the suburbs, from the fields, with the streets still on the ground, they win of the best? " Speaks Mazzim.

Joaozinho thirty's tactic was unknown to the other schools. He held weekly meetings to find out where it was necessary to improve and so he gradually transformed, difficulty in mastery.

For example, if the problem was in evolution, he took the essay to the street and the people he was going to appreciate too. In addition to improving the performance of the participants in this regard, it won many fans for school.

In this movement, Beija-Flor grew, giving visibility to Nilópolis and Baixada Fluminense, which started to have a samba school several times champion.

Today, in addition to carnival, the school offers other activities to the community, see in the video of Dr. Getúlio Sessim, the city doctor.