Festa do Império Kalunga
Gustavo Minas, Brazil
Gustavo Minas (Brazil, 1981) graduated in journalism from the State University of Londrina and studied language and history of photography with Carlos Moreira in São Paulo. Since 2009, he has been photographing the daily life of different cities. In 2017, his ‘Bus Station’ series won the POY LATAM award in the category “The Future of the Cities”.
The Festa do Império Kalunga (Kalunga Empire Festival) is a significant cultural and religious event held in the Vão das Almas, located within the Território Kalunga in Goiás, Center-West Brazil. The Kalunga community, descendants of escaped African slaves (Quilombolas), has preserved its traditions, language, and religious practices for over 300 years. The festival, which typically takes place in August, honors Nossa Senhora da Abadia, a revered figure in Brazilian Catholicism. This annual pilgrimage blends Catholicism with Afro-Brazilian spiritual elements, reflecting the resilience and cultural richness of the Kalunga people. Participants travel long distances, engaging in processions, traditional dances, and communal feasts that celebrate their deep-rooted heritage.