8. BRAZILIAN MUSIC AND DANCE

The music of Brazil encompasses various regional musical styles influenced by African, European and Amerindian forms.

Brazilian music is a unique blend of European harmony and melody, African rhythms along with Native American culture. How they all came together to form the distinctive sound that is today known as “Brazilian” music is a long story.

 

The rhythmic vitality of Brazilian music stems from the Native Americans, who accompanied their religious rituals with an exotic blend of rattlers, shakers and panpipes.

Slowly a passion for gorgeous melody began to surface in Brazil. During the 1930s and 40s, romantic songs from Brazil began to appear in North America. In 1958, the brand-new sound called bossa novarocked the Brazilian music scene and eventually the rest of the world.

 

Like the music and song of the South American country of Brazil, its dance is varied and complex; hailing from centuries of external influences coupled with the deeply entrenched cultures of the local Amerindian tribes. 

The Samba
When the European colonisers settled in Brazil in the time between the 16th to the 19th centuries, they brought into the country hordes of African slaves. These Africans had their own customs, traditions and cultures; many of which were in the form of song, dance and music.

The Capoeira
This dance is believed originally to have been a form of martial arts that was also accompanied by music. It too has its roots in the African cultures.

The Lundu
Although this dance form was most popular during the 1600’s and 1700’s, it remains a common, well-loved art.

The Forro
This is one of the more varied dances in terms of the different styles that fall under its one name. It is particularly popular in Northeastern Brazil, and is a synchronised set of movements that need to be danced with a partner.

Despite the fact that these dances have evolved enormously over time and have their roots in the meeting of a number of very different cultures, they have now become an integral part of the fascinating culture that is so uniquely Brazil’s.

G. PavithaSri

B.Sc Psychology