Notting Hill Carnival
2024: Oxum and Xango – Balance of Masculine and Feminine; Love and Power in Harmony
In 2024 Baque de Axé's carnival was a celebration of the divine union between the Orixás Oxum and Xango.
Oxum in yellow, with her calming influence, charming and graceful and Xango in red and white, fiery and commanding, with his explosive energy - Their union is a balance between the forces of creation and destruction.
2023: Povos de Axé
In 2024 oxalá as the orixá
2022: The Call of the Drum. Diversity, Nature and Traditional Knowledge
As the beat of the drum echoes, the spirits of nature awaken into a colourful explosion of celebration. The green of the forests, the deep blue and the white of the oceans, the red, brown, and black of the earth. The pink, purple, and yellow of birds. Each colour equal, together creating glorious beauty.
Our ancestors loved these lands before they had names; before borders were built to separate us. Our ancestors planted the seeds of life, but it is now up to you, my children, to nurture these seeds into plants that blossom. Plants that blossom into love and respect; healing the wounded Amazon, and the hearts of our peoples.
We do not despair – we are not on our own; Exu, Ogum, Yemanja, Oxossi, Oxala, and Nana are with you, from the first beat of Xangô’s drum. Young warrior, when your feet touch the ground, walk with the certainty that your ancestors spoke of love - fly on the wings of love and spread words of unity.
2021: Panorama
In 2021 carnival was not yet back on the streets on West London. Baque de Axé were invited to perform as special guests at Notting Hill carnival’s UK National Panorama steelband competition.
2020: Access All Areas
For the first time in its 54 year history carnival went digital! Replacing the street festival for 2020, the Carnival tradition will continue online, safely honouring the legacy of those that paved the way.
Baque de Axé represented our beloved Nação and Maracatu on the UK’s number one stage – The Royal Albert Hall – for the recording of Notting Hill Carnival Access All Areas. We were proud to be one of a fantastic lineup of music groups that were streamed over the Bank Holiday weekend.
2019: Tambores Livres
For Notting Hill Carnival 2019 Baque de Axé jointly created Tambores Livres (Free Drums), a not-for-profit project supported by the Arts Council, that brought together cultural, musical, and performance groups from the UK and Brazil to share knowledge and celebrate Afro-Brazilian culture, whilst raise awareness of the social and environmental issues facing Brazil today.
In a Carnival first we paraded in a celebration of Brazilian culture for human and environmental rights in Brazil and beyond in solidarity with all the people’s of Brazil. The theme of the Notting Hill Carnival parade was Heroes and Heroines of Brazilian Resistance. Caboclo 2 de Julho, Marielle Franco and Mestre Môa do Katendê were our figure heads, each of whom have made a stand for social and environmental rights. It was a heartfelt and explosive day, with music, dance, chants, costumes, banners, placards, movement, and lots and lots of drums!
We joined forces with Nação de Maracatu Porto Rico, Baque de Ogum, Baque Luar, Tribo, Selva, and Capoeira MarAzul – on the day our parade consisted of over 300 people.
Together we have the power to stand up to injustice and protect our planet. Through resistance and education we can initiate change and make a difference. Resistance shapes culture and saves communities. Watch the film below to find out more.
2018:
In the 2018 Notting Hill Carnival our 60 person group included performers from many Maracatu bands around the country, and won third prize for Brazilian Bands, behind London’s two main Rio style Samba Bands.