Clementina de Jesus (1901- 1987)

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Color photographic portrait of woman standing in front of building corner. She wears a green long sleeve dress which echoes the green tint of the closed shop or garage around the corner..

ca. 1977

Clementina de Jesus was born only thirteen years after the abolition of slavery in Brazil, and grew up with the music of her enslaved forebears. Her extraordinary talent was "discovered" by music producers when she was over 60. Her recording of traditional Afro-Brazilian songs shed light on the legacy of slavery and resistance.