In Salvador, more than anywhere else in the country, the African influence in the makeup of Brazilian culture is readily visible, from the spicy dishes still called by their African names (caruru, vatapá, acarajé), to the ceremonies of Candomblé which honor both African deities and Catholic holidays, to the Capoeira schools where a unique African form of ritualistic fighting is taught.

When the Portuguese established their colonies in Brazil, African slaves were not far behind. Most of the slaves came into the city of Salvador da Bahia, for two reasons. First of all, it was the most important city on the Brazilian coast and relatively close to Africa. The second reason was sugarcane, which grew very well in the region. The slaves were unloaded and sold in the city center of Salvador: a district with the charming name of Pelourinho, or "whipping post."

The slave trade eventually slowed, and Brazil outlawed slavery in 1888. By that date, there were thousands of Afro-Brazilians in the country, most of them in Salvador. Despite the horrors of slavery, they had managed to maintain much of their culture and heritage, and they preserve it to this day. A mixture of African, Portuguese and native culture make Salvador one of the most culturally fascinating cities in the world.

Afro-Brazilian culture dominates the city, which is about 80% black by population. Traditions old and new are at home in the city. The slaves brought their religion with them: it is called Candomblé, and it survived in spite of centuries of repression by the Roman Catholic Church and the government of Brazil. It is a polytheistic faith, and the different deities, about fifty in all, each have different histories and personalities. It differs from the African religions that produced it: in Catholic Brazil, Candomblé picked up some Christian influences. For example, some of the Orishas, or God-spirits, are associated with saints.

Capoeira, the almost balletic mix of marital arts and dance, is now seen on almost every Salvador street corner. The last 15 years have also seen an explosion in music that draws on African influences. A new term has been coined to describe an Afro-Brazilian blend of upbeat dance music: Axé, from the Yorubá word for energy. Musical groups such as Olodum and Timbalada have blended complex African drumming rhythms with reggae melodies, while adding a dose of social activism to the mix.

This same 15-year period has seen the resurrection of Salvador's Pelourinho neighborhood. Derelict until as recently as the '80s, over the last 10 years Pelourinho - the 16th-century heart of what was once the richest city on the Atlantic coast - has been painstakingly brought back to its former glory. Once the center of the slave trade, today the Pelourinho is the nucleus of the Black Movement in Bahia with different organizations working in cultural and social areas.

1- Arrival in Salvador
Meet and greet at the airport in Salvador and arrival transfer to your hotel. Your room will be ready by noontime, if you prefer we can also arrange you an early check-in (at a surcharge) and you will have your room ready upon arrival, so you can freshen up and rest before exploring Salvador.

2- Salvador
Full Day City Tour with African Heritage. Trace the African roots of Salvador, starting by Pelourinho, today a symbol of the black movement in Bahia and home of many places of interest to those wishing to explore the Bahian soul. You will visit the Afro-Brazilian Museum, which shows the African origins of the city; the Sociedade Protetora dos Desválidos (the Protective Society for the Destitute), founded in 1832, an old fraternity that helped to freedom slaves before the abolition; the Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário, a famous black church, built with resources over a period of almost 100 years. Then we have lunch at Senac, a restaurant and cooking school of typical Afro-Bahian food. After lunch you will go to visit some of the most famous terreiros (place of worship) of Candomblé, with specialized guide. Here you have the possibility to see a mãe-de-santo (lead woman) and to play Jogo de Búzios, the ancient divination art involving the throwing and interpretation of the cowry shells (fee for Jogo de Búzios is not included).

As an optional tour, enjoy Bahia by Night with black dance show and dinner. A self-service restaurant of typical traditional Bahian cuisine provides the backdrop for a folkloric show that presents some of the major Afro-Brazilian cultural expressions, such as maculelê, the fishermen’s dance, candomblé, and a host of others, including a special capoeira performance.

3- Salvador
Full Day Tour to Recôncavo Baiano, a region that was the center of sugar cane in the past and today holds a very special African primitive heritage. One of the main attractions of this tour is the visit to the Boa Morte Sisterhood. One of the oldest sisterhoods in Bahia, it was founded in the early 19th century by black women, with purely religious intentions to pray for the dead and to provide decent funerals for its members. Therefore, Boa Morte, when translated, means "good death". Every August they make a very traditional event, perhaps the most important festival in the African Heritage calendar in Bahia. They promised that when the slavery finishes in Brazil, the sisterhood and its descendants will pay every year a big festival that syncretizes Catholicism and the Afro-Brazilian religion. Back to Salvador, lunch at the old Convento dos Carmelitas (XVIII century).

4- Salvador
Full Day Tour Suburbs of Salvador. There is no better place to begin to know and understand the culture of a people than in their local markets. On this tour, you will visit the traditional and colorful São Joaquim Fair located in Água de Meninos. It’s a real African market! Ranging from handcrafts made of raffia shafts and ceramics to put fruits, vegetables, meat, medicinal herbs, leather goods, Candomblé figurines and lots more, every conceivable article or utensil of popular use can be found in this big open-air market. Of course, everything is reasonably priced! Afterwards, you are taken to the famous neighborhood of Liberdade (Liberty), which is the largest community of African descendents in the entire state of Bahia and one of the most populous neighborhoods in the world. In truth, here you will find the highest concentration of African descendants outside of the continent of Africa. Also the famous Bloco Afro (Black Cultural and Carnival group), Ilê Aiyê, whose headquarters have become the meeting place for thousands of tourists who want to watch its carnival rehearsals. Lunch at Boca de Galinha restaurant (delicious popular food) located at the Plataforma suburb. Thereafter we visit the Bagunçaso Social Project, one of the most important social projects of the city, which operates through private funding and teaches and introduce percussion music to black street children. The tour ends with a visitation to the Mercado Modelo (art market) with traces of black roots and local artist.

5- Salvador
At leisure in Salvador. As an optional tour, participate in an authentic candomblé ceremony of this magic Afro-Brazilian religion (depends on religious calendar).

6- Depart Salvador - Next City
Check-out at noon. Transfer to the airport in Salvador. Homebound flight or proceed to your next destination.

Land-Only prices in US-Dollars per person in double occupancy (single supplement available), including:

• Private roundtrip transfer Airport SSA in Salvador/Hotel/Airport SSA in Salvador featuring air-conditioned vehicle with English speaking guide.

• Full Day City Tour African Heritage (private, approximately 8 hours) with lunch and English speaking guide.

• Full Day Tour to Recôncavo Baiano (private, approximately 8 hours) with lunch and English speaking guide.

• Full Day Tour Suburbs of Salvador (private, approximately 8 hours) with lunch and English speaking guide.

• Entrance fees for the mentioned sights.

• Accommodation in the hotel/pousada of your choice.

• Daily Brazilian buffet breakfast, unless indicated above.

• Meals as per description (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner).

• Hotel taxes.

-> Optional Tour Bahia by Night with black dance show, dinner and English speaking guide = US$ 144 per person.

-> Optional Tour Candomblé Ceremony with English speaking guide (depends on religious calendar) = US$ 91 per person.

-> To reduce or extend number of nights in this package, simply click on the hotel of your choice and check the desired period.

To receive more information, please email us at office@opcotours.com.