The group

Afoxé Loni® is considered to be one of the most beautiful and musically sophisticated Blocos of Berlin’s “Carnival of World Cultures”, and its history is closely tied to that of the carnival’s.

In 1997 dancer and choreographer Murah Soares initiated the project together with Krista Zeißig, with Dudu Tucci taking over ’the musical direction. Since then the group has represented the Berlin Carnival at more than one auspicious occasion, for example at the “Critics Awards” ceremony at the Berlin “Schauspielhaus” or at the Expo 2000 (World’s Fair).

In Bahia, Afoxé processions are closely tied to the Candomblé religion; their purpose is to ritually purify the streets and calm down latent violence before the actual carnival parade. This spiritual background plays an important role for Afoxé Loni® even without the religious ties, and for this reason, is always at the head of the parade. The formation of dancers and drummers, in a sea of white and yellow, then splits the spectators down the middle for an impressive opening and commencement of the colourful parade.

Through continual work over the years, since 1997, a repertoire has been worked out which is extraordinary for a group of 150-200 dancers, drummers and singers. Of course, a smaller cast can perform as well. The program consists of six rhythms in the meantime: Ijexa, Congo, Barravento, Samba-Duro, Timbalada Ijexa and 6/8.
A CD was released in 2002.

Afoxé´Loni’s stucture is unique, with a fixed group of Germans, Brazilians, and participants from all over Europe developing and organising parades in Italy, Great Britain and Ireland, together with local participants. These meetings of over 200 musicians and dancers in Berlin, Mailand, Manchester or Dublin are not only a musical, but a social event. In the future, Afoxé Loni will be focussing on work with children and young people.