Introduction to Afro-Brazilian Music

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

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

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

Candomblé

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)

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

Musical Characteristics of Candomblé

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

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

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

Capoeira

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

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

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)

• Malícia=cunning, trickery (ex. Benção)