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Monday, September 28, 2009
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About Me
- Marcia Mikulak - Associate Professor, University of North Dakota Dept. of Anthropology
- This is a research blog that focuses on the social activism of indigenous groups in Brazil. This blog is also a forum for discussion about human rights as they apply to indigenous peoples in Brazil.
This is cool! Is this the parade supporting Cacique Marcos Xukuru?
ReplyDeleteHi Tasha - no, this Maracatu group is not part of the demonstration in support of the Xukuru. Maracatu is a form of rhythm, music, dance, and historically a social process to recognize leaders within slave communities. Maracatu is also known as "maracatu de baque virado" (Maracatu of the turned-around beat). For a simple and incomplete discussion see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maracatu. Maracatu was developed in Brazil by slaves and has many different symbolic meanings, from being divested as Reis do Congo (Kings of Congo)who were leaders in slave communities, to its infusion in the African religion of Candomblé. Today, there are thousands of Maracatu groups across Brazil that practice throughout the year for their participation and competition in the Brazilian Carnival that occurs in February. The deeper significance of Maracatu in this sense, has been dropped by popular culture, and has been appropriated as a Brazilian Carnival experience. It's a very interesting and meaningful experience when witnessed live through an awareness of its history.
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