Rio Hosts the Afro Brazilian Fair ‘Feira das Yabás’ this Sunday

By Beatriz Miranda, Contributing Reporter

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – This Sunday, October 8th, the Feira das Yabás returns to the Paulo da Portela Square, in Oswaldo Cruz, Zona Norte. One of the most authentic Afro Brazilian culture’s celebrations, the free event starts at 1PM, gathering live music attractions and typical culinary stalls.

In the fair’s musical line-up, samba musician and composer Marquinhos de Oswaldo Cruz will host the mandolim master Hamilton de Holanda, this edition’s special attraction.

Internationally renowned as the “Mandolim’s Jimmy Hendrix”, Hamilton de Holanda stands out for its extraordinary talent with the instrument.

Versatile, Holanda easily moves from classic to contemporary genres, having already played with orchestras, in duo and solo.

Nominated to the Grammy Awards several times, Holanda has recently gained the prizes of best soloist and best album in the 2011’s Brazilian Music Award. The musician is most popularly known for the hyped Baile do Almeidinha, an amazing samba and MPB show-party held by Holanda and his band that usually takes place at Circo Voador, in Lapa.

Together, Holanda and Marquinhos de Oswaldo Cruz, followed by other instrumentalists, will present a repertoire full of the greatest “samba de raiz” (roots samba) songs, including some classics of Portela, the neighborhood’s favorite samba school.

What’s more, one cannot go to Feira das Yabás without trying its typical dishes, specially prepared by the local matriarchs from Oswaldo Cruz and Madureira. There will be sixteen different stalls serving the best of Afro Carioca culinary during the whole event.

Among the options, one can find 87 year-old Dona Neném’s rabada com batatas (oxtail stew with potato) and angu with bolinho de abóbora com carne seca (pumpkin and dried meat fritter with a corn meal); Jane Carla’s fish stew; Jussara’s bobó de camarão (a cassava, coconut milk and shrimp dish); Rosimeri’s galinha com quiabo (chicken with okra); and Marlene’s feijoada.

Some of samba’s great names, like Tia Surica, will also be participating in the food court and serving her special recipe of calf’s foot jelly with cassava and dried meat. Homemade sweets can be found at the stalls of Janaína and Vera de Jesus. The dishes usually cost around R$30.

Created in 2008 by Marquinhos de Oswaldo Cruz, the Feira das Yabás (name that refers to the female orishas from the Afro Brazilian religion Candomblé) aims to preserve and value the authentic culture of Rio’s suburbia and its Afro Brazilian residents. The fair has already hosted important names from the Brazilian Popular Music, like Dona Ivone Lara, Leci Brandão, Arlindo Cruz and Mestre Guinga.

What: Feira das Yabás (Yabás Fair)
When: this Sunday, October 8th – 1PM to 8PM
Where: Praça Paulo da Portela – Oswaldo Cruz, Zona Norte
Entrance: FREE