Google Doodle celebrates the 96th birthday of Brazilian verse singer and storyteller Dona Militana, who is considered by many to be the greatest novelist in Brazil, on March 19, 2021.
Who was Dona Militana?
Dona Militana (originally named Militana Salustino do Nascimento) was born on March 19, 1925 in São Gonçalo do Amarante, Rio Grande do Norte.
As a child, Dona Militana worked the fields, planting crops and weaving baskets with her dad, who sang as they worked. A significant number of her songs told stories from a bygone period of medieval kings, queens, soldiers, and lovers—stories he won’t ever forget.
Dona Militana’s conventional ability remained to a great extent obscure for decades until she was found by folklorist Deífilo Gurgel during the 1990s. It was then that she shared with the world her massive narrative of songs and stories – some of which were more than 700 years old.
During the 1990s, folklorist Deífilo Gurgel became acquainted with Dona Militana’s songs and permitted the entire country to know her ability. The novelist even recorded a triple CD named ‘Cantares’, released in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
In 2000, Dona Militana recorded “Cantares,” a collection of 54 songs that were novel-like in scope, with lyrics and melodies that precisely reflected the times from which they began. Upon the project’s release, audiences all through Brazil learned of Dona Militana—the guardian of a Brazilian history almost lost to time.
Dona Militana was admitted to a hospital in June 2010. She was discharged and kept on being treated at home. She died on June 19, 2010, at the age of 85. In acknowledgment of her impact on Brazilian culture, she was awarded the Order of Cultural Merit in 2005.
On March 19th, 2021, Google celebrates Dona Militana’s 96th Birthday with a Google Doodle
