november 20th - black awareness day (dia da conscięncia negra) is a day set aside to remember the injustices experienced by black slaves during the slavery period in brazil, and for all the contributions they as well as current brazilians of african descent have made to the country.
originally celebrated since the 1960s on the 13th of may, the date of abolition of slavery in 1888, it recently has been moved to this date to coincide with the murder of zumbi dos palmares, in 2011 president dilma rouseff signed the new date into law, warmely welcomed by afro-brazilians given its historical significance.
Zumbi was a former free man, turned slave and strong proponent of antislavery. he became a legendary resistance leader, believed by many to be immortal - it is during zumbi's period that the african descendants were most feared because of the capoeira, an impressive martial art disguised as a dance.
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