São Paulo, the first decades of the twentieth century. It was common in this period for part of the black population to take to the streets every year to celebrate 13 May - date of the abolition of slavery in Brazil -, involving pilgrimages, masses, civic conferences, solemn discourses, artistic and cultural festivals, dances, music, dance, theater and partying, most often in a climate of emotion and joy. Drawing on various registers, especially journalistic, the article aims to describe and examine these commemorations, seeking to demonstrate their multiple meanings and different significances.
blacks; African Diaspora; abolition; slavery and liberty; commemorations