Last Wednesday, January 3, Djamila Ribeiro took part in the rehearsal of União Imperial, a samba school from Santos, which this year has the Brazilian philosopher as one of its honorees.

On her Instagram, Djamila shared some photos of the event, highlighting the joy of being remembered by her hometown school.

“It’s an immense honor to be one of the honorees of the samba-enredo of the traditional Santos samba school União Imperial. Today I was received with all the honors and love in the school’s court, I received the honor of sambaing in front of the ‘bateria nota 10’ and I experienced a unique moment. Being honoured in our city has a very special taste, being recognized by our community is very exciting!” she posted.

Samba-enredo

Developed by Renan Ribeiro and Wallacy Vinycios, the plot ‘Azeviche – A ascensão da áurea cor’ (Azeviche – The rise of the golden color) takes the cultural roots of União Imperial to the ‘avenue’ to reaffirm the social and ethnic-racial relevance of blackness as a symbol of the political and libertarian movement in the city of Santos.

“And today…
From our social struggles
Of Alziras, Djamilas and other women
Echoes my singing”, say excerpts from the lyrics.

On her social media, Djamila also thanked the Santos community, president Luiz Alberto Martins, vice-president Ivo Evangelista and the samba school’s director, Rubens Gordinho, in her words, “for the beautiful recognition”.

“Gratitude, Green and Rose Nation of Marapé, see you at the parade!” she concluded.

União Imperial

Founded on March 20, 1976, formed by sons of ‘sambistas’ from the Marapé neighborhood, the Grêmio Recreativo Cultural Escola de Samba União Imperial is an 11-time champion of the Santos Carnival: 1980, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1993, 1994, 1997, 2018 and 2019.

The school is affiliated with Estação 1ª de Mangueira, a traditional samba school from Rio de Janeiro, and its symbol, an eagle, is a reference to Portela, another tradicional samba school from Rio.

União Imperial parades on February 2, the day of Iemanjá!

*With information from Folha Santista