s？o paulo, the first decades of the twentieth century. it was common in this period for part of the black population to take to the streets every year to celebrate 13 may - date of the abolition of slavery in brazil -, involving pilgrimages, masses, civic conferences, solemn discourses, artistic and cultural festivals, dances, music, dance, theater and partying, most often in a climate of emotion and joy. drawing on various registers, especially journalistic, the article aims to describe and examine these commemorations, seeking to demonstrate their multiple meanings and different significances.
