Zambiapunga

Drawing from my experiences in the capital of Bahia. Whenever I'm feeling fervent emotions, I feel the urge to draw. So I took inspiration from my surroundings and from what's been happening in my life right now to create this mage who radiates good vibes.

The reference I wanted to incorporate into this drawing was Zambiapunga, a cultural manifestation of Afro-Brazilian matrix, typical of the Low South of Bahia, especially in Nilo Peçanha, Taperoá, Valença, and Cairu, traditionally performed on the dawn of November 1st.

The word Zambiapunga has African origins, belonging to the Bantu language group, corresponding to the peoples of Congo and Angola. The name derives from the term "Nzambi ampunga," which means "Almighty God," representing the spiritual connection between the human and the divine.

The group uses handmade masks made of paper and mud, painted with intense colors, dancing to the sound of drums and unusual instruments (such as hoes and shells) to celebrate ancestry and ward off evil spirits. Considered intangible cultural heritage of the state of Bahia, this tradition is a symbol of resistance and affirmation of Black identity.

I wanted to make everything very colorful to represent the magic that my eyes are able to witness in Salvador.
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This work was created in 2026, initially using traditional techniques (pencil on paper) and finished digitally in Procreate. It is inspired by a fascination with fairy tales and the unknown.