From Sea to Sertão

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STEPHANIE MEDEIROS to From Sea Sertao CHARACTERS OF PERNAMBUCO

description

From Sea to Sertão is a book designed and illustrated with some of the most famous characters of the Northeastern Brazil folk culture. This book takes you on a journey from the coast in Recife and Olinda to the hinterlands of the state, called the Sertão. This is Pernambuco, and it is very nice to meet you!

Transcript of From Sea to Sertão

STEPHANIE MEDEIROS

toFrom Sea

SertaoCHARACTERS OF PERNAMBUCO

STEPHANIE MEDEIROS

toFrom Sea

SertaoCHARACTERS OF PERNAMBUCO

Pernambucowelcomerecife

Carnaval

BrazilPernambucoculturesertaowelcomeCarnavalcultureolinda Brazil

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olinda

Carnaval

Pernambucowelcome

BrazilSertao

olindaThe state of Pernambuco on the Northeast of Brazil is known for its beautiful beaches, colorful folklore and rich culture. This little booklet explores some of the most traditional characters of Pernambuco’s capital Recife, the historical city of Olinda and peeks at the Sertão, where many of these characters were originated. Open your senses and get to know a little bit more about the characters that shape our famous Carnaval traditional holiday. Go even further into the State to meet characters like

Lampião and Maria Bonita, famous historical characters that epitomize some of the basis of the Northeastern Sertão culture. Learn famous slangs from our vernacular, gems that you will only hear while spending a little time in Pernambuco. Everything you will see in this booklet makes part of the Pernambuco culture and has influenced the lives of all who were born or have chosen to live in this beautiful state. It would be impossible to fully feel the richness of our state without ever getting to know a little

bit about the background behind our most famous characters. This booklet will submerse you into a new and beautiful cultural cornucopia and ignite in you a deep appreciation for some of our most traditional symbols. If you are a local, it will remind you of how rich and diverse our traditions are, and if this is your first time getting to know about our culture, you are getting into a very fun and colorful ride! Have fun on your journey. This is Pernambuco, and it is a great pleasure to meet you.

from sea to sertao

Recife (heh-see-fee) is the fifth-largest metropolitan area in Brazil with nearly 3,800,000 inhabitants. It is the capital and the largest city of the state of Pernambuco. Its name is an allusion to the stone reefs that are present by the city's shores. The many rivers, small islands and over 50 bridges found in Recife city center characterize its geography and gives it the nick-

name of "Brazilian Venice”. Recife is a very beautiful and culturally rich city with a very unique identity. While visiting the city, you should definitely take stroll down the Boa Viagem beach, explore the history of the Dutch-inspired architecture of Old Recife and engage in the alternative scene of the parties in Casa Forte.

recife

Olinda (oh-leen-dah) is a histor-ic city in the Brazilian state of Pernambuco, just north of Recife. It has a population of nearly 400,000 people and is one of the best-preserved colo-nial cities in Brazil. Olinda features a number of major touristic attractions, such as a historic downtown area, church-es, and the Carnival of Olinda, a popular street party with various

rhythms, traditions and the addition of African influenced dances. During the year, people can go to Olinda to visit the historic sites, cultural centers and innumerous artist ateliers spread throughout the city. An indispensable stop by the Sé is recomended to who wishes to visit Olinda. There you can enjoy typical food such as tapioca while admiring the view.

OLINDA

The Ser�ão, the Semi-arid lands of the Nor�heast of Brazil, also called the hinter-lands, are the more remote, less populated and developed par�s of the state of Per�ambuco. Despite the harsh climate, this habitat is mostly used for ag�icult�re, sugar cane, cattle and goat far�s. The cult�re of the Ser�ão is theme to various impor�ant pieces of ar� and literat�re, like Gilber�o Frey�e’s acclaimed book Casa Grande e Senzala, 1933. “Ser�anejo” cult�re has found its way up to the urban scener�

of Recife. The cult�ral richness from the Ser�ão inspires the ver�acular, culinar�, fashion and music of the entire state and also for� the developed cult�re of bigger cities. Food from the Ser�ão like queijo de coalho, (fried white cheese), queijo mantei-ga (butter cheese), car�e de sol (sundried meat), charque (jerked beef ), cor� cuscus, yam and tapioca (manioc flour tor�illa) are the quintessence of the t��ical culinar� of Per�ambuco.

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carnaval de recife & olindaThe most famous party in Brazil, the Carnival, is an event that unites locals and tourists in a week of partying from the morning until the crack of dawn. The Carnival in Recife and Olinda has a distinct style that is greatly influenced by the African, European and Native tribes that are part of the early history of Pernambuco. Brazilians are known for loving a good party, so Carnival festivities begin in the month of February and go into March. The Carnival in Recife is one of the

biggest events of the country, with over 1.5 Million people joining in six straight days and nights of partying. The Galo da Madrugada or Rooster of Dawn signifies the commence-ment of the Carnival in Recife, with everyone dancing to frevo and maracatu. The Carnival is free for all, with blocos - or groups - allowed to play their own variety of music and put up their own show on the streets. The magic of the Carnival continues in the colonial town of Olinda. Energetic crowds line the

streets, dancing to the pulsating rhythms of drums and horns. No Carnival in Recife and Olinda is complete without costumes that range from the most exotic to the most outrageous. The Carnival in Recife and Olinda is all about having fun! These next pages are filled with famous characters, symbols and rhythms that encompass the richness and singularity of this event that surpassed the party status long ago and became a stage for Pernambu-co’s amazing cultural diversity.

The Ser�ão, the Semi-arid lands of the Nor�heast of Brazil, also called the hinter-lands, are the more remote, less populated and developed par�s of the state of Per�ambuco. Despite the harsh climate, this habitat is mostly used for ag�icult�re, sugar cane, cattle and goat far�s. The cult�re of the Ser�ão is theme to various impor�ant pieces of ar� and literat�re, like Gilber�o Frey�e’s acclaimed book Casa Grande e Senzala, 1933. “Ser�anejo” cult�re has found its way up to the urban scener�

of Recife. The cult�ral richness from the Ser�ão inspires the ver�acular, culinar�, fashion and music of the entire state and also for� the developed cult�re of bigger cities. Food from the Ser�ão like queijo de coalho, (fried white cheese), queijo mantei-ga (butter cheese), car�e de sol (sundried meat), charque (jerked beef ), cor� cuscus, yam and tapioca (manioc flour tor�illa) are the quintessence of the t��ical culinar� of Per�ambuco.

The Estandarte, or Carnival banner, is a decoratively designed and embroi-dered flag representing the Carnival’s “blocos”, or associations, that parade with music and dance down the streets during the Carnival. The banner is considered to be a sacred element by the entire group, a symbol of honor and the group’s flag. Its location in the parade is previously decided: in the

front or near the orchestra, always being protected by a “guard of honor” called the “porta-estandarte”. These “blocos” are very traditional groups and some have been parading on Recife and Olinda Carnivals for decades. Like in a Carnival “bloco”, ourjourney through some of the most famous Carnival characters starts with the Estandarte.

estandarte

The Ser�ão, the Semi-arid lands of the Nor�heast of Brazil, also called the hinter-lands, are the more remote, less populated and developed par�s of the state of Per�ambuco. Despite the harsh climate, this habitat is mostly used for ag�icult�re, sugar cane, cattle and goat far�s. The cult�re of the Ser�ão is theme to various impor�ant pieces of ar� and literat�re, like Gilber�o Frey�e’s acclaimed book Casa Grande e Senzala, 1933. “Ser�anejo” cult�re has found its way up to the urban scener�

of Recife. The cult�ral richness from the Ser�ão inspires the ver�acular, culinar�, fashion and music of the entire state and also for� the developed cult�re of bigger cities. Food from the Ser�ão like queijo de coalho, (fried white cheese), queijo mantei-ga (butter cheese), car�e de sol (sundried meat), charque (jerked beef ), cor� cuscus, yam and tapioca (manioc flour tor�illa) are the quintessence of the t��ical culinar� of Per�ambuco.

The charismatic giant dolls exert a grand fascination amongst Carni-val-goers. A mark of the Carnival of Olinda, the Giant Olinda Dolls are fiberglass and/or papier-maché sculp-ture-like dolls that stand 15 feet or 5 meters tall. Carnival Giant Dolls are a focal point of Carnival. Like many of the costumes worn by partygoers, they reflect themes of humor, satire and scandal. They also reflect folklore and legends. Characters include politi-cians and celebrities, past and present. The most famous of them is the

Homem da Meia-Noite (Midnight Man). His appearance at midnight on the Saturday has been the o�cial start of Olinda Carnival since 1932. A person gives life to the doll by carrying it on their head, using a cushion on the wooden base for support. The waist of the doll is situated at the eye-level of the carrier, who is able to see through a small opening in the fly of the doll’s pants. Other famous giant dolls include the the Mulher do Dia, (Woman of the Day) and the Menino da Tarde (Afternoon Boy).

Bonecos de olinda

The Ser�ão, the Semi-arid lands of the Nor�heast of Brazil, also called the hinter-lands, are the more remote, less populated and developed par�s of the state of Per�ambuco. Despite the harsh climate, this habitat is mostly used for ag�icult�re, sugar cane, cattle and goat far�s. The cult�re of the Ser�ão is theme to various impor�ant pieces of ar� and literat�re, like Gilber�o Frey�e’s acclaimed book Casa Grande e Senzala, 1933. “Ser�anejo” cult�re has found its way up to the urban scener�

of Recife. The cult�ral richness from the Ser�ão inspires the ver�acular, culinar�, fashion and music of the entire state and also for� the developed cult�re of bigger cities. Food from the Ser�ão like queijo de coalho, (fried white cheese), queijo mantei-ga (butter cheese), car�e de sol (sundried meat), charque (jerked beef ), cor� cuscus, yam and tapioca (manioc flour tor�illa) are the quintessence of the t��ical culinar� of Per�ambuco.

The Galo da Madrugada, or the Rooster of Dawn, is named in the Guinness Book of World Records as the biggest carnival parade in the world. Enéias Freire created the Galo in 1978. Nearly a million people parade with this Recife “bloco”, or block party, which leaves every first Saturday morning during Carnival from Forte das Cinco Pontas, a historical Recife landmark. Trios elétricos, or bands playing atop sound-wired trucks, keep

the crowd dancing to frevo. A tower-ing rooster statue slowly makes its way amidst the crowds on the streets of Old Recife. One of the most famous tunes of the traditional Carni-val of Recife is the Hymn of the Rooster: “Ei pessoal, vem moçada / Carnaval começa no Galo da Madru-gada!” It translates to “Hey people, come over all, the Carnival begins at the Rooster of Dawn”.

galo da madrugada

The Ser�ão, the Semi-arid lands of the Nor�heast of Brazil, also called the hinter-lands, are the more remote, less populated and developed par�s of the state of Per�ambuco. Despite the harsh climate, this habitat is mostly used for ag�icult�re, sugar cane, cattle and goat far�s. The cult�re of the Ser�ão is theme to various impor�ant pieces of ar� and literat�re, like Gilber�o Frey�e’s acclaimed book Casa Grande e Senzala, 1933. “Ser�anejo” cult�re has found its way up to the urban scener�

of Recife. The cult�ral richness from the Ser�ão inspires the ver�acular, culinar�, fashion and music of the entire state and also for� the developed cult�re of bigger cities. Food from the Ser�ão like queijo de coalho, (fried white cheese), queijo mantei-ga (butter cheese), car�e de sol (sundried meat), charque (jerked beef ), cor� cuscus, yam and tapioca (manioc flour tor�illa) are the quintessence of the t��ical culinar� of Per�ambuco.

The Caboclo de Lança (mestizo with a spear) is a folkloric warrior figure from Pernambuco, tied to the cultural manifestations of Carnival and of Maracatu Rural. It is considered one of the principal symbols of Pernam-buco. It is characterized by its colorful vestiments, which include a headpiece with strings of shiny cellophane, a poncho with embroidered patterned sequins and a spear with bells and fabric strips. Its origin is the result of a mixture of Afro-indigenous cultures with other popular manifestations. It is part of a group of other characters

that together make the formation of the Maracatu Rural, originated long ago by African slaves and indigenous tribes and then passed onto workers of the sugar cane fields in the deeper parts of the state. Fortunately, these Maracatu groups are nowadays focused on cultural celebrations but they were once almost gangs, with rival groups and very specific rituals and traditions pertaining to each one of them. The dance and music produced by the “Caboclos de Lança” are very unique and a real beauty to experience.

caboclo de lanca

The La Ursa is a character inspired by European gypsies who used to go around their cities with animals with the objective to entertain the viewers in exchange for some money. The rite was adapt-ed into a funny practice in the Brazilian carnival in which a person dressed as a bear is accompanied by a “master” and a band. This group goes around the crowd singing and dancing in exchange for some change chanting the famous tune “The La Ursa wants some money, who doesn’t give it is miser!” (A La Ursa quer dinheiro, quem não der é pirangueiro!) The La Ursa’s costume consists on a full body suit covered with velvet or fleece and a colorful papier-mâché bear head as a mask.

la ursa

The Ser�ão, the Semi-arid lands of the Nor�heast of Brazil, also called the hinter-lands, are the more remote, less populated and developed par�s of the state of Per�ambuco. Despite the harsh climate, this habitat is mostly used for ag�icult�re, sugar cane, cattle and goat far�s. The cult�re of the Ser�ão is theme to various impor�ant pieces of ar� and literat�re, like Gilber�o Frey�e’s acclaimed book Casa Grande e Senzala, 1933. “Ser�anejo” cult�re has found its way up to the urban scener�

of Recife. The cult�ral richness from the Ser�ão inspires the ver�acular, culinar�, fashion and music of the entire state and also for� the developed cult�re of bigger cities. Food from the Ser�ão like queijo de coalho, (fried white cheese), queijo mantei-ga (butter cheese), car�e de sol (sundried meat), charque (jerked beef ), cor� cuscus, yam and tapioca (manioc flour tor�illa) are the quintessence of the t��ical culinar� of Per�ambuco.

The Caipora is one of the most famous characters from the Carnivals in the interior of Pernambuco. Famous in the city of Pesqueira, the character is inspired by a folkloric character that, according to the myth, is a figure that lives in the forests and haunts hunters by using a supernatural torch. According to the folktale, to avoid being haunted by this creature, the Caipora needs to be o�ered cigarettes or tobacco leaves. During the Carnival festivities though, people dressed as the Caiporas go to the streets to entertain the public by dancing and wearing an interesting costume that consists of a painted raw canvas bag used as a mask, oversized gloves, a colorful structured buttoned up shirt and a tie.

caipora

frevoFrevo is a wide range of musical styles originating from Recife, Pernambuco, all of which are traditionally associated with the Carnival. The word frevo is said to come from frever, a misspeaking of the Portuguese word ferver (to boil). It is said that the sound of the frevo will make listeners and dancers feel as if they are boiling on the ground. Frevo can be described as a speeded up, Polka-ish,high-pitched playful sound.

Variations include the Frevo de Bloco, Frevo de Rua and the Frevo de Trio. The frevo is believed to have appeared sometime around the early 1900s and is typically accompanied by a very complex and acrobatic dance, which includes around 120 di�erent dance moves. The frevo dancers are dressed in colorful clothing, inspired by the folk costumes of Pernambuco and also use yellow, blue, green and red umbrellas, while performing their

neck breaking dance steps at a stunning pace. The most famous frevo song is called the “Vassou-rinhas” and every time this song plays at any Carnival (at any party, really) the crowd goes into frenzy and starts jumping and dancing in unison. The Frevo de Rua, or Street Frevo, is the most popular during carnival and includes brass instruments like Trum-pets, Saxophones and Tuba.

maracatuMaracatu is an ancient carnival tradition from Pernambuco. Maraca-tu has its roots in the sugar farms and slave estates, where black African slaves formed religious brotherhoods to preserve African culture and heritage. Each year the crowning of the slave King and Queen was celebrated with music and dance.This rich cultural ceremony - first recorded in 1674 - has been preserved

through the centuries by the 'maraca-tu nations', which form the colorful parades of drums, dancers and costumed kings and queens of today's Recife carnival. The maracatu as a rhythm can be described as a thunderous group of drums and percussion instruments playing together following a maestro with a whistle. Singing and dancing usually accompany these performances. The

most used instruments are the drums, called the alfaias, the gonguê (a metal cowbell), the agbê (a gourd shaker enveloped in beads), and mineiro (a metal cylindrical shaker filled with metal shot or small dried seeds). These can be seen on almost every corner during the Carnival of Recife and Olinda and the sound of Maracatu is powerful, moving and contagious.

The Ser�ão, the Semi-arid lands of the Nor�heast of Brazil, also called the hinter-lands, are the more remote, less populated and developed par�s of the state of Per�ambuco. Despite the harsh climate, this habitat is mostly used for ag�icult�re, sugar cane, cattle and goat far�s. The cult�re of the Ser�ão is theme to various impor�ant pieces of ar� and literat�re, like Gilber�o Frey�e’s acclaimed book Casa Grande e Senzala, 1933. “Ser�anejo” cult�re has found its way up to the urban scener�

of Recife. The cult�ral richness from the Ser�ão inspires the ver�acular, culinar�, fashion and music of the entire state and also for� the developed cult�re of bigger cities. Food from the Ser�ão like queijo de coalho, (fried white cheese), queijo mantei-ga (butter cheese), car�e de sol (sundried meat), charque (jerked beef ), cor� cuscus, yam and tapioca (manioc flour tor�illa) are the quintessence of the t��ical culinar� of Per�ambuco.

The mangue bit or mangue beat movement is a cultural movement created circa 1991 in the city of Recife in reaction to the cultural and economical stagnation of the city. The movement has its own manifes-to, Caranguejos com Cérebro (Crabs with Brains). Its title refers to Recife's inhabitants as crabs living in Recife's swamp and mangrove environment. A major symbol associated with manguebeat is the crab, animal found in the mangroves in the city. Manguebeat can be divided into two distinct waves: the first in the early

1990s led by the music groups Chico Science & Nação Zumbi (Zumbi's Nation) and the second in the early 2000s led by Cordel do Fogo Encan-tado. The manguebeat is still the anthem for Recife’s youth and pride. It is vastly played in the alternative scene. Chico Science is the most famous musician and founder of the MangueBeat culture. He died in Recife in a car accident in 1997 at the age of 30. He is still considered an idol and proudly embodies the culture of the youth of Recife.

manguebeat

sertaosertaosertao sertao

sertaosertao

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sertaosertaosertaosertaosertaosertao

The Ser�ão, the Semi-arid lands of the Nor�heast of Brazil, also called the hinter-lands, are the more remote, less populated and developed par�s of the state of Per�ambuco. Despite the harsh climate, this habitat is mostly used for ag�icult�re, sugar cane, cattle and goat far�s. The cult�re of the Ser�ão is theme to various impor�ant pieces of ar� and literat�re, like Gilber�o Frey�e’s acclaimed book Casa Grande e Senzala, 1933. “Ser�anejo” cult�re has found its way up to the urban scener�

of Recife. The cult�ral richness from the Ser�ão inspires the ver�acular, culinar�, fashion and music of the entire state and also for� the developed cult�re of bigger cities. Food from the Ser�ão like queijo de coalho, (fried white cheese), queijo mantei-ga (butter cheese), car�e de sol (sundried meat), charque (jerked beef ), cor� cuscus, yam and tapioca (manioc flour tor�illa) are the quintessence of the t��ical culinar� of Per�ambuco.

The Sertão, the Semi-arid lands of the Northeast of Brazil, also called the hinterlands, are the more remote, less populated and developed parts of the state of Pernambuco. Despite the harsh climate, this habitat is mostly used for agriculture, sugar cane, cattle and goat farms. The culture of the Sertão is theme to various important pieces of art and literature, like Gilber-to Freyre’s acclaimed book Casa Grande e Senzala, 1933. “Sertanejo” culture has found its way up to the

urban scenery of Recife. The cultural richness from the Sertão inspires the vernacular, culinary, fashion and music of the entire state and also form the developed culture of bigger cities. Food from the Sertão like queijo de coalho, (fried white cheese), queijo manteiga (butter cheese), carne de sol (sundried meat), charque (jerked beef), corn cuscus, yam and tapioca (manioc flour tortilla) are the quintes-sence of the typical culinary of Pernambuco.

SERTAO NORDESTINO

The Ser�ão, the Semi-arid lands of the Nor�heast of Brazil, also called the hinter-lands, are the more remote, less populated and developed par�s of the state of Per�ambuco. Despite the harsh climate, this habitat is mostly used for ag�icult�re, sugar cane, cattle and goat far�s. The cult�re of the Ser�ão is theme to various impor�ant pieces of ar� and literat�re, like Gilber�o Frey�e’s acclaimed book Casa Grande e Senzala, 1933. “Ser�anejo” cult�re has found its way up to the urban scener�

of Recife. The cult�ral richness from the Ser�ão inspires the ver�acular, culinar�, fashion and music of the entire state and also for� the developed cult�re of bigger cities. Food from the Ser�ão like queijo de coalho, (fried white cheese), queijo mantei-ga (butter cheese), car�e de sol (sundried meat), charque (jerked beef ), cor� cuscus, yam and tapioca (manioc flour tor�illa) are the quintessence of the t��ical culinar� of Per�ambuco.

The Sertanejo is a typical figure of the Northeastern region of Brazil. They represent the lifestyle of a population that migrated to the Sertão in order to farm cattle in the 19th century. The sertanejos have been a major influence in Brazilian music, art and literature. The lifes of the sertanejos are not typically easy, since most live in rural areas, su�ering with the adver-sities of the harsh and dry Sertão climate. This group of people has also been ostracized for living in underde-veloped areas that lack the technolo-gy and wealth of the coastal region.

A large portion of sertanejos still struggle to survive in the poor areas of the Sertão. Many build their own houses, some traditional ones being constructed out of wood branches and dry mud, also known as “Casas de Taipa”. The typical vegetation of the Sertão is called the Caatinga, a species of cactus that is normally found in the backyard of these houses and can be used to feed cattle. The figure of the sertanejo immortalizes the resilience of the Northeasterns and their rich culture unites the coast to the Sertão.

sertanejo

The Ser�ão, the Semi-arid lands of the Nor�heast of Brazil, also called the hinter-lands, are the more remote, less populated and developed par�s of the state of Per�ambuco. Despite the harsh climate, this habitat is mostly used for ag�icult�re, sugar cane, cattle and goat far�s. The cult�re of the Ser�ão is theme to various impor�ant pieces of ar� and literat�re, like Gilber�o Frey�e’s acclaimed book Casa Grande e Senzala, 1933. “Ser�anejo” cult�re has found its way up to the urban scener�

of Recife. The cult�ral richness from the Ser�ão inspires the ver�acular, culinar�, fashion and music of the entire state and also for� the developed cult�re of bigger cities. Food from the Ser�ão like queijo de coalho, (fried white cheese), queijo mantei-ga (butter cheese), car�e de sol (sundried meat), charque (jerked beef ), cor� cuscus, yam and tapioca (manioc flour tor�illa) are the quintessence of the t��ical culinar� of Per�ambuco.

The Sertão, the Semi-arid lands of the Northeast of Brazil, also called the hinterlands, are the more remote, less populated and developed parts of the state of Pernambuco. Despite the harsh climate, this habitat is mostly used for agriculture, sugar cane, cattle and goat farms. The culture of the Sertão is theme to various important pieces of art and literature, like Gilber-to Freyre’s acclaimed book Casa Grande e Senzala, 1933. “Sertanejo” culture has found its way up to the

urban scenery of Recife. The cultural richness from the Sertão inspires the vernacular, culinary, fashion and music of the entire state and also form the developed culture of bigger cities. Food from the Sertão like queijo de coalho, (fried white cheese), queijo manteiga (butter cheese), carne de sol (sundried meat), charque (jerked beef), corn cuscus, yam and tapioca (manioc flour tortilla) are the quintes-sence of the typical culinary of Pernambuco.

literatura de cordel

The Ser�ão, the Semi-arid lands of the Nor�heast of Brazil, also called the hinter-lands, are the more remote, less populated and developed par�s of the state of Per�ambuco. Despite the harsh climate, this habitat is mostly used for ag�icult�re, sugar cane, cattle and goat far�s. The cult�re of the Ser�ão is theme to various impor�ant pieces of ar� and literat�re, like Gilber�o Frey�e’s acclaimed book Casa Grande e Senzala, 1933. “Ser�anejo” cult�re has found its way up to the urban scener�

of Recife. The cult�ral richness from the Ser�ão inspires the ver�acular, culinar�, fashion and music of the entire state and also for� the developed cult�re of bigger cities. Food from the Ser�ão like queijo de coalho, (fried white cheese), queijo mantei-ga (butter cheese), car�e de sol (sundried meat), charque (jerked beef ), cor� cuscus, yam and tapioca (manioc flour tor�illa) are the quintessence of the t��ical culinar� of Per�ambuco.

The Galo da Madrugada, or the Rooster of Dawn, is named in the Guinness Book of World Records as the biggest carnival parade in the world. Enéias Freire created the Galo in 1978. Nearly a million people parade with this Recife “bloco”, or block party, which leaves every first Saturday morning during Carnival from Forte das Cinco Pontas, a historical Recife landmark. Trios elétricos, or bands playing atop sound-wired trucks, keep

the crowd dancing to frevo. A tower-ing rooster statue slowly makes its way amidst the crowds on the streets of Old Recife. One of the most famous tunes of the traditional Carni-val of Recife is the Hymn of the Rooster: “Ei pessoal, vem moçada / Carnaval começa no Galo da Madru-gada!” It translates to “Hey people, come over all, the Carnival begins at the Rooster of Dawn”.

lampiao e maria bonita

The Ser�ão, the Semi-arid lands of the Nor�heast of Brazil, also called the hinter-lands, are the more remote, less populated and developed par�s of the state of Per�ambuco. Despite the harsh climate, this habitat is mostly used for ag�icult�re, sugar cane, cattle and goat far�s. The cult�re of the Ser�ão is theme to various impor�ant pieces of ar� and literat�re, like Gilber�o Frey�e’s acclaimed book Casa Grande e Senzala, 1933. “Ser�anejo” cult�re has found its way up to the urban scener�

of Recife. The cult�ral richness from the Ser�ão inspires the ver�acular, culinar�, fashion and music of the entire state and also for� the developed cult�re of bigger cities. Food from the Ser�ão like queijo de coalho, (fried white cheese), queijo mantei-ga (butter cheese), car�e de sol (sundried meat), charque (jerked beef ), cor� cuscus, yam and tapioca (manioc flour tor�illa) are the quintessence of the t��ical culinar� of Per�ambuco.

The Zabumba is a typical kind of band that can be found all over Pernambuco and Northeastern Brazil region. The term Zabumba comes from the name of a drum that is typically used in these groups. The Zabumba is always present in import-ant popular parties such as Carnivals, Christmas parades, as well as other religious holidays. The Zabumba

group is normally formed by five to six musicians who play di�erent kinds of percussion drums, flutes and brass instruments. The presence of the Zabumba band brings traditional Northeastern music into the plethora of contemporary music in local parties. Its sounds have been incorporated by many musicians into the most varied types of popular Brazilian genres.

zabumba

The Ser�ão, the Semi-arid lands of the Nor�heast of Brazil, also called the hinter-lands, are the more remote, less populated and developed par�s of the state of Per�ambuco. Despite the harsh climate, this habitat is mostly used for ag�icult�re, sugar cane, cattle and goat far�s. The cult�re of the Ser�ão is theme to various impor�ant pieces of ar� and literat�re, like Gilber�o Frey�e’s acclaimed book Casa Grande e Senzala, 1933. “Ser�anejo” cult�re has found its way up to the urban scener�

of Recife. The cult�ral richness from the Ser�ão inspires the ver�acular, culinar�, fashion and music of the entire state and also for� the developed cult�re of bigger cities. Food from the Ser�ão like queijo de coalho, (fried white cheese), queijo mantei-ga (butter cheese), car�e de sol (sundried meat), charque (jerked beef ), cor� cuscus, yam and tapioca (manioc flour tor�illa) are the quintessence of the t��ical culinar� of Per�ambuco.

Luiz Gonzaga is one of the most important Brazilian musicians of all time. He known as “The King of Baião”, a rhythm that was made popular throughout the entire country and revealed the richness of North-eastern music to the world. The Baião became a genre characteristic of the Northeastern region of Brazil. In his

lyrics, Gonzaga explores the hopes and hardships of the sertanejos and the humor and joy of being from the Sertão. His characteristic costume includes a sertanejo hat and a embroi-dered cape. He is known for being a master of the accordion, eternalizing the instrument as a symbol of the music of Northeastern Brazil.

luiz gonzaga

Olinda (oh-leen-dah) is a histor-ic city in the Brazilian state of Pernambuco, just north of Recife. It has a population of nearly 400,000 people and is one of the best-preserved colo-nial cities in Brazil. Olinda features a number of major touristic attractions, such as a historic downtown area, church-es, and the Carnival of Olinda, a popular street party with various

rhythms, traditions and the addition of African influenced dances. During the year, people can go to Olinda to visit the historic sites, cultural centers and innumerous artist ateliers spread throughout the city. An indispensable stop by the Sé is recomended to who wishes to visit Olinda. There you can enjoy typical food such as tapioca while admiring the view.

Northeasterndictionary

The people from the Northeast of Brazil have a distinct accent that can be recognized anywhere in the coutry. Along with having an unique way of speaking, the Nordestinos are also known for their particular slangs. These are used nowadays in the Northeastern vernacular and are an important cultural characteristic of the region. Here is a small dictionary with some of the most used words and their meanings. Before planning a trip to the Northeast, make sure to learn some of these and you will guarantee smiles

and surprised expressions from the locals.

abestado(AH - behs-TAH-doh)Fool, silly, stupid person

aperriar(Ah-peh-REE-ah)Bother, tease

aRRETADO(Ah-reh- TAH-doh)Awesome, great, or when one is enraged, mad. “I’m arretado because she is late again.”

Broco(BRO-coh)Slow person, dumb.

Cabra(CAH-brah)Used only when you're talking to a male person, like “hey man”.

Danou-se(DAH-nouh-see)Exclamation of surprise or a descrip-tion for something that did not go well

eita (AY-tah)Gosh, as in "Gosh! what have done!"

Foi mal(PHO-eeh-MAHL)I’m sorry

Lapada(LAH - pah-DAH)Strong hit or a shot of a strong liquor such as cachaça (sugar cane alcohol)

Lombra(LOHM - brah)Mental haze or high

oxe, oxente(OSH - osh-EHN-tee)Why, as in "why! that's strange"

massa(MAH-sah)Cool, nice

Vei (vaigh)Dude

Vixe, vixe Maria (VEESH - VEESH mah-REE-ah)Holy mother! (comes from Virgem Maria -- the Virgin Mary)

Vôti (VOE-tee)Same as "eita" or "vixe"

toFrom Sea

SertaoCHARACTERS OF PERNAMBUCO

Stephanie Medeiros was born and raised in Recife, Brazil. She dedicated most of her life to art and decided to become an illustrator, joining the University of Kansas Illustration program in 2011. In a recent trip back to her hometown, Recife, the capital of Pernambuco, Stephanie realized something about her own heritage that her eyes were too used to seeing to be able to notice in full spectrum. As she walked through the popular markets and craft stores she began to look at her own culture in a way she had never done before. She started to

observe the cultural manifestations, colors, sounds, imagery and smells that bit by bit were the foundations of her cultural traditions and heritage. This book was inspired by her state, her people and her culture, and she hopes that presenting it to people that have never seen anything like this before will open their minds and invite them to want to learn more about Northeastern Brazilian culture. Stephanie currently lives in Lawrence, Kansas, and is planning to begin her master’s degree in Illustration.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

toFrom Sea

SertaoCHARACTERS OF PERNAMBUCO

An illustrated guide to the most tradi-tional cultural characters and icons of Pernambuco’s capital, Recife, the historical city of Olinda and the Sertão.Everything you will see in this booklet is part of the Pernambuco culture and has influenced the lives of all who were born or have chosen to live in this beautiful state. It would be impossible to fully feel the richness of our state without ever getting to know a little bit about the back-ground behind our most famous characters. This booklet will submerse you into a new and beautiful cultural cornucopia and ignite in you a deep appreciation for some of our most traditional symbols.Have fun on your journey. This is Pernambuco, and it is a great pleasure to meet you.