The commercialisation of acarajé, according to several researchers, had its origin in the Brazilian colonial period, when the slaves of gain, rent or gainers who worked on the streets for their masters–went through the city selling goods like porridge.

Maria da Graça Costa Pena Burgos was born in Salvador, Bahia, on 26 September 1945. From an early age, she became interested in music and was encouraged by her parents to become a singer.