African Manifestations in Brazil: The Crioula Drum Dance

Abstract

This study analyses the musical manifestation of African origin in Rio de Janeiro, the Crioula Drum Dance, presented at the Quilombo Samba School’s Recreational Black Arts Association in Acari, in the city’s metropolitan area. The Quilombo, founded by the composer Candeia promotes artistic activities at its headquarters such as capoeira, jongo dance, percussion music for the community, handicrafts, academic support for public school students and the alphabetization of adults. Residents consider it a place that is theirs, a social space where they share the sociocultural activities it promotes, such as samba and drum dances held at the birthday celebrations of Candeia, at the party and prayers night for Saint George and other festivities. The Crioula Drum Dance is a circle dance that includes singing and drum playing by afro-descendents to honor Saint Benedict. Brought to Brazil in the eighteenth century by slaves from different ethnic groups, it is a form of entertainment or the paying of promises to the saint or to entities in the sites where Afro-Brazilian cults are celebrated. Currently, the Crioula Drum Dance is the expression of a social and ethnic group: the representation of an ethos seeking to keep its identity in Brazilian society.