Roda de Santo

Rooted in Afro-Brazilian traditions, Roda de Santo blends high-energy percussion, layered voices, deep grooves, and electronic textures in a compelling sound where sacred rhythm meets celebration, and ancestry meets the now. Roda de Santo is a musical group born in Lisbon in 2021, created with the intention of forming a roda (circle) that celebrates cantigas de terreiro — sacred songs traditionally sung during ceremonies of Afro-Brazilian religions like Umbanda — combined with original compositions. The group stands out for its fusion of ancestral sounds (chants, claps, and drums) with electronic elements, creating a contemporary sonic experience that reclaims and reimagines Afro-centered cultural roots. At the heart of the performance are the pontos — traditional chants dedicated to Orixás, guides, and spiritual entities. The project draws from Brazilian syncretism, merging influences from Black Africa (África Negra), the Catholic traditions of Europe, and Indigenous forest cultures. Through contemporary arrangements of drums, percussion, claps, voices, and electronic elements, these forces come together to form a living ritual of sound. Formed by Alvaro Lancelloti, Karla da Silva, Sara Cabral, Juninho Ibituruna, and Bartolo — Brazilian artists from Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Minas Gerais — the group has been performing across Portugal and now brings its spiritual-musical celebration to Rotterdam, honoring the richness and resilience of Afro-Brazilian religions in European territory.