See the main books written by these lovers of letters
Since Pero Vaz de Caminha’s letter, Bahia has inspired the verses of some of the greatest poets and writers in the world, some even sons of this land. And with travel restricted due to the pandemic, how about getting to know Pelourinho through “The Two Deaths of Quincas Wateryell” or taking a stroll around the Comércio district thumbing through “Captains of the Sands”? We have separated a list of 10 authors who mention Bahia in their works for you to have on your bookshelf or virtual reading tools. After all, palm oil literature mixes the classic and the contemporary and is always up to date!
Check out the list and enjoy reading!
Jorge Amado
Despite his predilection for Ilhéus, Jorge Leal Amado de Faria was born in Itabuna, on August 10, 1912. He is the author of classics such as “Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands”; “Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon” and “Tent of Miracles”, which talks about class conflicts and religious issues in the land of São Salvador. Through his works, it is possible to revisit Salvador from the 1930s and 1940s and get to know some landscapes, such as Pelourinho. Amado is the winner of awards such as the Camões Prize (1994) and the Stalin Peace Prize (1951).
Zelia Gattai
Jorge Amado’s great companion, Zélia Gattai was born in São Paulo, on July 2, 1916. The very date of her birth – Bahia Independence Day – reveals that her destiny was indeed the state she moved to in 1963. One of her main works is “A Casa do Rio Vermelho”, which talks about her life with Jorge, in the Salvador neighborhood that is one of the bohemian darlings of the city. In 1984, Zélia received the title of Citizen of the City of Salvador and, in 1998, the degree of Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters, from the French Government.
João Ubaldo Ribeiro
João Ubaldo Ribeiro is one of the most prodigal children on the island of Itaparica, where he was born on January 23, 1941. In “Viva o Povo Brasileiro”, one of the main works of Brazilian literature, he makes inroads into Salvador, Lisbon, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, in the narrative that takes place on the island of Itaparica between 1647 and 1977. He received the Camões Award in 2008.
Castro Alves
Antônio Frederico de Castro Alves, or simply Castro Alves, is one of the greatest poets in the history of Brazil. Born in Cachoeira, on March 14, 1947, he died young, at just 24 years old. In his short life, he wrote classics such as “Espumas Flutuantes”, “Hinos do Equador” and “Navio Negreiro”. The latter tells the story of the enslaved, who were, in many cases, kidnapped from Africa to come to Salvador.
Myriam Fraga
One of Jorge and Zélia’s great friends, Myriam Fraga was born in Salvador on November 9, 1937. Some of the poet’s main works are “Femina” and “Sesmaria”, which address themes related to the past and present in Salvador. She received the Castro Alves Medal of Merit, the Copene Culture and Art Award and the Maria Quitéria Medal.
José Carlos Capinam
Born in the Bahian city of Esplanada, on February 19, 1941, poet José Carlos Capinam is one of the immortals of the Bahia Academy of Letters. One of his main works is “Inquisitorial”, which brings together poems covering various themes, including Salvador, through a vision that refers to the Tropicalia period.
Rita Santana
Rita Santana was born in Ilhéus, on August 22, 1969. In addition to being an actress and professor at the State University of Santa Cruz (UESC), she is also a poet and writer, having authored books such as “Tramela”, “Tratado das Veias” and “Alforrias”, which deals with themes related to the black people and their religions, important aspects of Salvador’s culture.
Lívia Natália
Lívia Natália was born in Salvador on December 25, 1979. She is a professor at the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), where she also completed her master’s and doctorate. She debuted as an author in 2010, with the work “Água Negra”. Lívia also wrote “Sobejos do Mar”, inspired by the All Saints Bay, through the magical gaze of the waters that surround Salvador. In 2010, she received the “Banco Capital” award.
Hugo Canuto
Born on July 11, 1986, Hugo Canuto is a comic artist and draughtsman. In 2015, he released the comic book “A Canção de Mayrube – O início”, inspired by the mythologies of the Peoples of America. In 2020, his graphic novel “Contos dos Orixás” became a finalist for the Jabuti Award – Comics. Through the work, it is possible to learn about aspects of the African-based religions in Salvador.
Martha Galrão
Martha Galrão, born in Salvador, graduated in Psychology, but pursued a career as a teacher and poet. She is the author of “A Chuva de Maria” and “Muadiê Maria – Coleção Cartas Bahianas”, talking about the history of Salvador and Bahia.
By Jorge Gauthier
