Mixed Race Day
June 27, Friday
Paraíba, Roraima, Amazonas
When is it Celebrated?
Mixed Race Day is observed annually on June 27. This date was chosen to coincide with the birthday of Gilberto Freyre, a Brazilian sociologist and anthropologist known for his work on race and culture in Brazil.
Significance of the Holiday
The holiday serves to:
- Recognize the cultural and racial diversity of Brazil
- Promote racial equality and inclusion
- Celebrate the unique identity of mixed-race Brazilians
- Encourage dialogue about Brazil’s complex history of colonization, slavery, and migration
Where is it Celebrated?
Mixed Race Day is not a national holiday in Brazil, but it is officially recognized in several states and municipalities, particularly in the North and Northeast regions such as:
- Amazonas
- Roraima
- Rondônia
- Amapá
These areas have significant populations of mixed-race individuals and a strong cultural emphasis on racial diversity.
Related Observances
Mixed Race Day is one of several holidays in Brazil that celebrate racial and ethnic identities. Others include:
- Black Awareness Day (Dia da Consciência Negra) – November 20
- Indigenous Peoples Day (Dia dos Povos Indígenas) – April 19
- Zumbi dos Palmares Day – Also observed on November 20 in honor of a leader of a historic quilombo (community of escaped slaves)