Glossary

Pernambuco

Since the second half of the 16th century when Portuguese Duarte Coelho introduced the first sugar cane culture to the region and founded Olinda, the richest city in Brazil at the turn of the century, Pernambuco has been the stage for agricultural and industrial development, Libertarian and republican revolt and social change. Slaves were brought from Africa to work on the sugar cane plantations, but many escaped and founded independent inland settlements such as Palmares. The Dutch, influential in the region as important players in the sugar trade with Europe, invaded Olinda in 1630 and built Recife. They were not sent packing until 1654, after many a battle that sparked a sentiment of regionalism that is still strong in Pernambucanos. But it was the 19th century that would witness a series of significant revolts and social movements: 1817 was the year of the Pernambucan Revolution when the region declared independence from Portugal, a movement quickly and violently crushed; in 1825 the Confederation of the Equator was established, another separatist movement that lasted a few months; and Pernambuco was the stage for the Revolução Praieira in 1848 with its Manifest to the World aspiring to a Republican regime, free elections, freedom of the press and control on interest rates. Brazil’s first Law School was founded in Olinda in 1828 and in 1825 the Diario de Pernambuco published its first edition, currently the oldest newspaper still in circulation in Brazil and Latin America, and last but not least, the country’s abolitionist movement, triumphant in 1888, was headed by local associations and the regional government.

Fast forward to the 1980s: Pernambuco is in deep economic recession with high unemployment, a broken infrastructure, urban violence and a political system as stagnant as the swamps (mangue) which surround the state capital Recife, which was named “fourth worst city in the world to live in” by a population studies institute in Washington, D.C.

The response to this environmental and social crisis? The Manguebeat Manifesto, written by Recife journalist and Mundo Livre S/A band-leader Fred Zeroquatro, which identified the fertile swamp zone as a creative energy source, and its human inhabitants as ‘crabs with brains’:

Emergency! Get the paramedics or Recife dies of a heart attack! The quickest way to kill and empty the soul of a city is to kill its rivers and fill its estuaries. How to avoid drowning in the chronic depression that paralyses the citizens? How to return some courage and recharge the batteries of the city? It's simple! Just inject some energy into the mud and stimulate what's left of fertility in the veins of Recife, dream up an "energy circuit" capable of connecting the positive vibrations of the mangroves with the world wide web. The symbol: a parabolic antenna rammed into the mud.

A collective of graphic artists, musicians and cultural activists in Recife formed and the Manguebeat Movement gathered pace. Credited with being the most significant cultural movement in Brazil since Tropicalia, it was powered by musicians Chico Science & Nação Zumbi, Mundo Livre S/A, Otto, Siba with Mestre Ambrosio and DJ Dolores, who energised their rock, punk, electronica and hip hop with traditional rhythms like coco, maracatu and ciranda, simultaneously celebrating local culture and plugging into dynamic global scenes. Eclipsing Sao Paulo and Rio at the time, they turned the North-Eastern backwater city of Recife into the most innovative musical centre in Brazil. The shockwaves continue to resonate in Pernambuco and beyond.

Playlist:
Chico Science & Nacao Zumbi – Afrociberdelica (Sony)
Mundo Livre S/A – Samba Esquema Noise (Banguela/Warner)
What’s Happening In Pernambuco (Luaka Bop)

Glossary of the rhythms of the Nordeste region of Brazil

Forró
A Northeastern Brazilian dance and also the word used to describe the accompanying music. Although not absolutely clear, the word is thought to come from “forrobodó” meaning a “wild party”. The music is usually played on the accordion, the zabumba bass drum and metal triangle. Two of the best known traditional forró composers are Luiz Gonzaga and Jackson do Pandeiro.

Frevo
A fast-tempo march, originally played by the army regiments based in Recife who paraded during Carnival led by capoeiristas whose knives and martial-arts movements became the colourful twirling umbrellas and acrobatic dancing of today’s passistas (frevo dancers). Among the many artists keeping frevo alive and kicking today are Alceu Valença, Geraldo Azevedo, SpokFrevo Orchestra and Lenine.

Maracatu
Maracatu Nação (from “nation”) is an Afro-Brazilian genre that came from the crowning ceremonies of the Kings of Congo, the leaders of the slave community. Following abolition, the genre has continued both as music and performance. Its complex percussion has inspired many artists ranging from Gilberto Gil and Jorge Ben to Chico Science & Nação Zumbi and Mestre Ambrosio.
Maractu rural is rooted in the Pernambuco interior and is thought to have Afro-indigenous origins. Its fusion of pre-existing forms of Carnival music is typically played and listened to by sugarcane workers.

Caboclinho
“Caboclo” is the Portuguese word for the children of marriages between blacks and Indians, and “Caboclinho” is the diminutive version. The groups of Caboclinhos are impressively attired in ornate feather headdresses and beads, playing traditional instruments such as taquara pipes, caracaxás maracas and drums taken from indigenous ritual cults.

Coco
Usually performed by a circle of singers accompanying the singing with clapping, the tirador do coco starts the verses and is then answered by the chorus. There are many versions but all involve improvisation to differing degrees. One of the genre’s most renowned artists was Jackson do Pandeiro.

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