Introduction to Afro-Brazilian Music

1
Introduction to Afro-Brazilian Music
2
Cultural/Ethnic Influences

• Indigenous peoples
• Including Guarani, Tupi, Kayapo, Yanomami
• Portuguese (European)
• Other ethnicities Italian, Spanish, German,
  Polish, Japanese, Syrian/Lebanese
• African (mostly West-African)
• Including Bantu, Yoruba, Ewe

3
Slave Trade

• 1538-1850 approx. 3.5 million slaves from Ghana,
  Nigeria, Angola, Congo, Mozambique (incl.Yoruba,
  Ewe, Fon).
• 1850 slave trade abolished
• 1871 Law of the Free Womb
• 1888 Slavery abolished

4
General Characteristics of West
African/Afro-Brazilian Music

• Dense textures
• Interlock
• Rhythmic complexity (polyrhythm)
• Open-ended forms
• Structure based on melodic/rhythmic ostinato
  patterns
• Music is means of communal participation

5
Candomblé
6
Aspects of Candomblé

• Afro-Brazilian religion (syncretic)
• Worship of hierarchy of orixás deities
• Ceremonies involves dancing, drumming, singing
  (in Yoruban), to invite orixás to manifest
  (spirit possession)

7
The Orixás

• Olorun (creator of the universe, sky father)
• Exú (gatekeeper trickster god)
• Xango (warrior, god of thunder, fire)
• Iemenjá (goddess of sea mother goddess)
• Orixas are related to each other
• Each has preferred foods, colors, symbols
• Each has distinct personality

8
Musical Characteristics of Candomblé

• Musical characteristics
• Call and response
• Polyrhythms
• Open-ended forms
• Specific rhythms for each orixá
• Hierarchy of drums

9
Instruments Used in Candomblé

• Atabaque drums (set of three Rum, Rum-Pi, Lê)
• Agogô (double-headed cowbell)
• Drums considered sacred instruments must be
  baptised before use

10
Candomblé Drumming

• Three drums are in hierarchical relationship
  directed by master drummer
• Master drummer oldest male initiate, lead
  singer, plays any drum he desires responsible
  for facilitating spirit possession
• Plays improvised patterns against rhythmic
  ostinato patterns of other drums

11
Capoeira
Afro-Brazilian art form combining music, dance
and martial arts
12
Capoeira

• Instruments
• Berimbau musical bow with shaker
• Pandeiro similar to tambourine, played with
  hands
• Atabaque drums similar to conga drums, played
  with hands
• Agógô double-headed cowbell, struck with stick

13
Roda de Capoeira

• Jogar body play
• Ginga basic movement
• Tocar musical play
• Lead berimbau plays toques (rhythmic patterns)
• Directs course of the game
• Brincar verbal play (improvised song lyrics
  with stock refrains)
• Malíciacunning, trickery (ex. Benção)