Brazil: Bahia: Guardianes de la Bahia

Bahia, which lies on the Atlantic coast of Brazil, is a state comprised largely of residents of African descent. Between the 16th and 19th centuries, Portuguese settlers brought slaves to Bahia from Africa. Today, the African influence on Bahia's culture can be heard in the music and seen in the food offered on the streets and in area restaurants, the clothing worn by the residents, and the historical landmarks located throughout the region. Those interested in learning more about Bahia can go to the Internet for various data on this colorful northeastern state in Brazil.

In Bahia's coastal city of Salvador, the sound of drums resonates in the streets, beaches, and houses of worship, where women wearing beautiful white dresses perform the "dance of the spirits" while men chant rhythmically and play bongos. Popular local dishes include moqueca, a fish stew cooked in a clay pot, and acaraje, a Nigerian bean fritter that's commonly sold on the streets by female vendors in ruffled dresses and extravagant headdresses. Children dressed up in eye-catching carnival-like attire and men performing capoiera, which is a lively blend of acrobatics, aerobics, and martial art moves, can also be observed all over the city.

Gracing the different sections of Salvador are elaborately constructed vistas, churches, and baroque mansions, as well as several historical statues, museums, and monuments dedicated to the struggles of African slaves brought to Bahia. Along the many cobblestone streets of the city are restaurants featuring both Bahian and African dishes and shops selling Afrocentric musical instruments and memorabilia. Tourists can also take a trip around the Baia de Todos os Santos on the Juan Carlos, a 32-foot boat that makes stops at the scenic islands of Dos Frades and Itaparica. To learn more about Salvador, Bahia, look to the World Wide Web for extensive information on this festive city and state in Brazil.