Who's Afraid of Xica Manicongo?
O Paraíso do Tuiuti will take the story of Xica Manicongo, considered the first transvestite in Brazil, to Marquês de Sapucaí as the theme for Carnival 2025. The school from São Cristóvão promises a powerful and exciting parade, addressing resistance and the fight against prejudice since colonial times.
Xica was brought from Congo to Salvador in the 16th century, where she lived as a slave and defied the norms of the time by refusing to wear men's clothing. Initially documented as a homosexual man, his trajectory was reinterpreted by activist Marjorie Marchi, becoming an icon of the transvestite and transsexual community.
With a plot of strong social and historical impact, Tuiuti promises a show that unites ancestry, diversity and representation, reaffirming its tradition of taking themes of resistance to the avenue. The school seeks to move the audience and highlight the importance of Xica Manicongo as a symbol of the fight for freedom and gender identity.
Excerpt from the samba-enredo:
Só não venha me julgar, ô ô
Pela boca que eu beijo
Pela cor da minha blusa
E a fé que eu professar...
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