What is Maracatu?
Juba do Leão specialise in the rhythms of the Northeast of Brazil. One of these native rhythms of Pernambuco is Maracatu; one of Brazil’s oldest traditions. There are two styles of Maracatu; Maracatu Nação and Maracatu Rural.
Maracatu Nação:
Juba do Leão focus on the intoxicating and powerful Maracatu Nação (‘Nation’) style, also known as Baque Virado. The name Nação reflects the African and tribal heritage of the tradition. This type of Maracatu sets its origins in the time of slavery in Brazil, where groups of slaves would appoint one slave to be responsible for the others. They would be ‘crowned’ as a Rei do Congo (‘King of Congo’) at something resembling a coronation ceremony organised by the slaves and music would be played. Maracatu has links to Afro-Brazilian religions such as Candomblé and Jurema and these traditional Nação groups are based in a terreiro (where such religions are typically based).The principles of these religions combine with the Maracatu crowning practices. When slavery was abolished in 1888, these Kings of Congo ceased to exist, but the Nação groups of Recife and Olinda continue the traditions of the Maracatu ceremony until the present day.
The typical formation of a Maracatu procession (or cortejo) includes a Corte (or ‘court’) consisting of a number of royal characters wearing colonial style costumes representative of the Baroque period. The parade represents African traditions by including several elements such as the Calunga doll (or boneca) which represents the Afro-Brazilian deities and the spirit of the group; this doll is made from a mixture of wax, wood and cloth and is kept in a kind of shrine at the Maracatu group’s sede (or headquarters). This sacred doll (dressed like the rest of the corte) is carried at the front of the procession by the Dama de Paço (a type of lady-in-waiting). The Embaixador or Porta-Estandarte (ambassador or flag-bearer respectively) precedes the parade carrying the bandeira (flag) which shows the group’s name, when they were founded, and occasionally which the community the group comes from. The Dama de Paço follows with the Calunga, then the Bahianas (usually female but are commonly men in drag) dance along wearing their beautiful flowing dresses. The most important characters featured are the Rei and Rainha (King and Queen), who strut by majestically dressed in fine robes, and are sheltered by a large umbrella carried by the Escravo (slave).
At the back of the procession come the Batuqueiros (percussionists) playing a furious blend of low-end bass drum rhythms with slicing snare lines and a driving bell pattern, all lead by the Mestre (master or director) singing the Toadas (songs). In some groups, the Batuqueiros are all men while women are confined to the corte as dancers and singers. In other groups, only members of the surrounding community are allowed to take part, most likely because they are direct descendants of the slaves who founded the older Maracatus. Nowadays it is quite common to see men and women playing drums side by side where others may adhere more strictly to the older traditions of Maracatu.
Juba do Leão are a modern group who deeply appreciate and respect the music of Maracatu and other Northeastern rhythms. Our group is open to men and women, children and adults. If you would like any information about our group or would like to attend our beginner’s class, please use the contact page to get in touch.
A typical Maracatu features the following instruments:
Alfaia or bombo: rope-tuned bass drums of varying sizes playing a mixture of complimenting, powerful rhythms.
Caixa, tarol: snare drum which often introduces the ensemble with a chamada (introduction).
Gonguê: a type of metal cowbell, can be handheld or several feet long on a rope harness.
Abê: also called ‘shekere’. A gourd shaker covered in brightly coloured plastic or ceramic beads.
Mineiro: a metal cylindrical shaker filled with metal shot or seeds for a sharp cutting sound.