Ilê Aiyê Announces 15 Finalists for Deusa do Ébano 2026

The Ilê Aiyê bloco has unveiled the 15 women who will compete for the coveted Deusa do Ébano crown in 2026. This marks the 45th edition of the Noite da Beleza Negra, a cornerstone event celebrating Black beauty, culture, and political resistance in Salvador, Bahia.

From 120 initial applicants, the selection committee identified a diverse group of finalists representing various neighborhoods, professions, and life experiences. Each candidate brings a unique perspective to what it means to be a Black woman in contemporary Brazilian society.

The competition transcends traditional beauty pageants. Finalists are evaluated not merely on appearance, but on their civic consciousness and ability to articulate the role of Black women in transforming society. Additionally, proficiency in Afro-Brazilian dance is essential, as the winner will perform alongside the renowned Band'Aiyê during Salvador's Carnival celebrations.

The grand finale takes place on Saturday, January 17th, 2026, at the historic Senzala do Barro Preto in the Curuzu district. This venue, deeply rooted in Afro-Brazilian cultural history, provides the perfect backdrop for an event celebrating Black excellence.

This year's theme, "Turbantes e Cocares: O Encontro de Coroas", carries profound cultural significance. Under the creative direction of Ridson Reis, the Noite da Beleza Negra presents beauty as both a collective affirmation and a political act.

The theme specifically honors traditional headwear as symbols of heritage and resistance:

• Turbans representing African and Afro-diasporic traditions
• Headwraps (cocares) as Indigenous and Black cultural markers
• Coroas (crowns) signifying the sovereignty and power of Black women
• Collective beauty as an act of political resistance

Through this visual and symbolic language, the event connects contemporary Black women to ancestral lineages of resistance and pride.

The 15 finalists represent a remarkable cross-section of Black womanhood in Bahia and beyond. Their ages range from 20 to 35 years old, and they come from diverse professional backgrounds including law, education, healthcare, arts, and business.

First-Time Contenders:

• Bruna Christine (29) - Roteirista e doutoranda em Artes da Cena from Rio de Janeiro
• Camila Morena (30) - Advogada from Pernambués
• Dandara Namíbia (22) - Modelo e bailarina from Narandiba
• Joana Sousa (28) - Bailarina e professora de ballet from Lauro de Freitas
• Larissa Oliveira (25) - Assistente Administrativa from Sussuarana Nova
• Raíssa Conceição (22) - Estudante, modelo e dançarina from Boa Vista do Lobato

Returning Veterans:

• Camila Silva (34) - Trancista, professora, cozinheira (6th participation)
• Cecília Cadile (35) - Consultora de imagem (6th participation)
• Carol Xavier (27) - Estudante de Jornalismo (3rd participation)
• Nayara Temporal (34) - Dançarina e instrutora de pilates (3rd participation)
• Rafaela Rosa (30) - Pedagoga (5th participation)
• Sarah Moraes (28) - Auxiliar Administrativa (2nd participation)
• Stephanie Ingrid (24) - Dançarina e arte-educadora (3rd participation)
• Dama de Branco (28) - Técnica de Enfermagem e artesã (5th participation)
• Mavih Souza (20) - Empresária, coreografa e cartomante (2nd participation)

Each finalist brings powerful personal motivations to the competition. Their words reveal deep connections to identity, community, and ancestral legacy.

"Ser uma travesti preta e viva é um ato político..."

Dandara Namíbia, the 22-year-old model and ballet dancer, frames her participation as a political statement of survival and visibility for Black transgender women.

"O título, para mim, é uma plataforma que ecoa a voz das mulheres negras..."

Cecília Cadile, a 35-year-old image consultant participating for the sixth time, sees the crown as a megaphone for Black women's collective voices.

"Ser Deusa vai falar de minha mãe..."

Camila Silva, a 34-year-old trancista and teacher in her sixth competition, connects the title to honoring her mother's legacy.

"Já somos padrões de beleza..."

Stephanie Ingrid, a 24-year-old dancer and art educator, asserts that Black women already embody beauty standards without needing validation.

"Preservo muito a minha ancestralidade..."

Mavih Souza, the youngest finalist at 20 years old, emphasizes her commitment to preserving ancestral traditions as a quilombola from São Braz.

The Deusa do Ébano competition represents far more than a beauty contest—it is a cornerstone of Afro-Brazilian cultural affirmation in Salvador. For 45 years, the Noite da Beleza Negra has provided a platform where Black women can define beauty on their own terms.

The winner will join the lineage of women who have represented Ilê Aiyê during Carnival, performing with the Band'Aiyê and embodying the bloco's commitment to Black excellence. This role demands not just dance ability, but the capacity to articulate a vision of Black womanhood that is both powerful and transformative.

In a society where Black women face intersecting forms of discrimination, this competition creates space for celebration, solidarity, and political consciousness. The emphasis on civic awareness ensures that the winner is prepared to be both a cultural ambassador and a voice for social change.

The 2026 edition's focus on headwear as symbols of resistance connects directly to contemporary movements for Black and Indigenous rights, making this year's competition particularly resonant in Brazil's current political climate.

As the January 17th finale approaches, all eyes will be on the Senzala do Barro Preto to witness which of these 15 remarkable women will claim the Deusa do Ébano 2026 crown. The winner will not only receive a title but will become a symbol of Black beauty, strength, and political consciousness for an entire community.

The competition continues to evolve, reflecting broader conversations about race, gender, and representation in Brazil. Each year, it proves that beauty pageants can be sites of empowerment rather than objectification, where intelligence, cultural knowledge, and political awareness are valued alongside physical grace.

For the finalists, this journey represents months of preparation, self-reflection, and community building. Regardless of who wins, the collective visibility of these 15 women—each with her own story, profession, and vision of Black womanhood—constitutes a powerful statement about the diversity and strength of Brazil's Black female population.