Beija-Flor to Honor Marajó Pajé Zeneida Lima in 2027 Rio Carnival

Overview

• Beija-Flor de Nilópolis, which announced the choice Wednesday, will dedicate its 2027 Rio parade to 91-year-old Marajó pajé Zeneida Lima.
• The theme is titled “Zeneida: O Sopro do Pó de Louro” and is credited to carnavalesco João Vitor Araújo with researchers Vivian Pereira, Guilherme Niegro, and Bruno Laurato after fieldwork in Soure, Pará.
• Born in Soure on Marajó Island, Zeneida leads the Caruanas Institute for Culture and Ecology, which serves nearly 200 children with education, music, dance, and environmental stewardship.
• The new homage revives a bond first forged when her 1992 book inspired Beija-Flor’s 1998 championship parade that brought Marajó spiritual imagery to the Sambadrome.
• In recent years, Zeneida received an honorary doctorate from the State University of Pará in 2021 and was portrayed in the film “Encantados,” highlighting broad recognition of her cultural and environmental work.