Brazil establishes National Day of Congados and Reinados on Oct 7

Law 15.463/26, published in the official gazette on 9 July 2026, creates an annual National Day of Congados and Reinados to be observed on 7 October. The legislation recognises the Afro‑Brazilian cultural and religious traditions of Congados and Reinados, linking the date to the Catholic celebration of Nossa Senhora do Rosário, a patron saint of many of these communities.

The measure originated from Bill 2379/23 introduced by Deputy Dandara (PT‑MG), received approval from both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, and was signed into law by the President. While the practices are most strongly rooted in Minas Gerais, celebrations also take place in São Paulo, Goiás, Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo and Bahia, uniting diverse regions around the preservation of African‑derived heritage.