20/07/2026
Mãe Elda de Oxóssi born the 6th January 1939 in Recife, Pernambuco. The daughter of Evangelical parents, she was first introduced to Umbanda and Candomblé in Rio de Janeiro. Her initiation in Recife took place in the 1970s within the Nagô nation, and later, in the 1980s, within the Jeje nation under the guidance of the renowned Babalorixá Raminho de Oxóssi. Today the terreiro, (spiritual centre) known as Ylé Axé Oxóssi Guangoubira is defined as a Jeje-Nagô nation.
Mãe Elda was a baiana in the Afro-Brazilian street processions that moved throughout the historic neighbourhoods of Recife in the 1960s. This experience connected her to the community that would later form the base of her leadership and bring Porto Rico back to life.
In October 1980, she was crowned Queen of Nação do Maracatu Porto Rico at the Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Homens Pretos in Recife. She was the last Maracatu queen to be crowned inside a Catholic church, marking the end of a centuries-old tradition that reflected the unique dialogue between Afro-Brazilian and Catholic heritage. Her reign began a remarkable new chapter for Porto Rico. When Mãe Elda became Queen, Porto Rico had once again fallen inactive following the death of its leader, Rei Eudes Chagas. With determination and love, she helped bring the nation back to the streets of Recife, not simply reviving a Carnival group, but rebuilding a community rooted in culture, spirituality, and belonging.
Mãe Elda believed that traditions stay alive when young people are invited to become part of them. She introduced the Corte Mirim (Children's Royal Court), enriched the costumes with new colours, structure and brilliance, and helped shape Porto Rico's distinctive identity. At the same time, she transformed its headquarters into a place of learning, where children and adults could discover music, dance, costume-making, and the values of the community. Her innovations always honoured the roots of Maracatu while opening doors for future generations.
For Mãe Elda, Maracatu was never just about Carnival. It was about caring for people, protecting ancestral knowledge, and creating spaces where everyone could feel a sense of belonging. Her influence continues through the generations she inspired, the community she strengthened, and the countless people around the world who carry her teachings forward.
https://nacaoportorico.maracatu.org.br/rainha-elda/
