Community of Arturos

The Community of Arturos lies in the Domingos Pereira district and houses over 600 residents who maintain and practice ancestral traditions. The area covers several residential sections where daily life follows long-standing customs and ways.

The community was founded in the 19th century by Arthur Camilo Silvério and Carmelinda Maria da Silva and represents a direct link to Brazil's past. The descendants of these founders have kept social structures and ways of life intact across generations.

The community is known for its Congado ceremonies, where music, dance, and spiritual practice merge and shape everyday life together. These celebrations show how African traditions remain alive here and are passed down through generations.

Visits are possible through guided tours offered by cultural institutions in Contagem that provide access to the community. The area is located near Belo Horizonte and is reachable by public transportation.

The community received IEPHA classification in 2014, an official recognition of its role in preserving authentic traditions and ways of life. This designation honors the importance of what has been safeguarded here over the centuries.