Community Highlights in Toronto
As part of our ongoing efforts to promote dialogue, cultural education, and spiritual connection in the diaspora, TUA has participated in several meaningful initiatives in Toronto. These activities strengthen our mission to share Afro-Indigenous Brazilian spirituality and culture across diverse communities.
Feijoada & Axé – Afro-Indigenous Brazilian Culture in the Diaspora (2025)
Hosted by the 519 Community Centre, this lecture brought together members of diverse communities to explore the cultural and spiritual richness of the Brazilian diaspora. Danielle Miranda de Oyá was invited as a guest speaker, sharing insights into the power of tradition, spirituality, and ancestral resilience.
Umbanda History Workshop – TUA Headquarters (2025)
A community-centered workshop focused on the historical roots and spiritual teachings of Umbanda. The event welcomed participants from Zimbabwe, Canada, Brazil, and Portugal, creating a powerful space for intercultural learning and connection.
Atabaque (drum) & Chanting Workshops – TUA Headquarters (2024 & 2025)
Regularly held at TUA, these workshops explore the sacred rhythms and chants of Umbanda and Candomblé. Participants learn the fundamentals of Afro-Brazilian percussion and singing, deepening their connection to ancestral knowledge and spiritual practice.
African-Inspired Culinary Workshops – TUA Headquarters (2024 & 2025)
These hands-on workshops celebrate the flavors and ancestral stories behind Afro-Brazilian cuisine. Participants learn to prepare traditional dishes such as feijoada, acarajé, and other meals rooted in African culinary heritage, while reflecting on the cultural significance of food in spiritual practice and community building.
Festa de Erê – Celebration of Joy and Childhood
A vibrant spiritual and cultural event dedicated to the orixás that represent joy, innocence, and childhood energy. The Festa de Erê brought together families and community members to celebrate with music, sweets, offerings, and playful rituals. The event in 2024 also served a social purpose: we raised 1,000 CAD to support the Instituto Luz e do Amanhã in the suburbs of São Paulo, which provides care for children with cancer.
These gatherings represent TUA’s commitment to education, healing, and community building - locally and globally.