1. Introduction to Afro-Brazilian Music

2. Cultural/Ethnic Influences Indigenous peoples Including Guarani, Tupi, Kayapo, Yanomami Portuguese (European) Other ethnicities: Italian, Spanish, German, Polish, Japanese, Syrian/Lebanese African (mostly West-African) Including Bantu, Yoruba, Ewe

3. Slave Trade 1538-1850: approx. 3.5 million slaves from Ghana, Nigeria, Angola, Congo, Mozambique (incl.Yoruba, Ewe, Fon). 1850: slave trade abolished 1871: Law of the Free Womb 1888: Slavery abolished

4. General Characteristics of West African/Afro-Brazilian Music Dense textures Interlock Rhythmic complexity (polyrhythm) Open-ended forms Structure based on melodic/rhythmic ostinato patterns Music is means of communal participation

5. Candomblé

6. Aspects of Candomblé Afro-Brazilian religion (syncretic) Worship of hierarchy of orixás: deities Ceremonies: involves dancing, drumming, singing (in Yoruban), to invite orixás to manifest (spirit possession)

7. The Orixás Olorun (creator of the universe, sky father) Exú (gatekeeper; trickster god) Xango (warrior, god of thunder, fire) Iemenjá (goddess of sea; mother goddess) –Orixas are related to each other –Each has preferred foods, colors, symbols –Each has distinct personality

8. Musical Characteristics of Candomblé Musical characteristics: –Call and response –Polyrhythms –Open-ended forms –Specific rhythms for each orixá –Hierarchy of drums

9. Instruments Used in Candomblé Atabaque drums (set of three: Rum, Rum-Pi, Lê) Agogô (double-headed cowbell) –Drums considered sacred: instruments must be baptised before use

10. Candomblé Drumming Three drums are in hierarchical relationship; directed by master drummer Master drummer: oldest male initiate, lead singer, plays any drum he desires; responsible for facilitating spirit possession Plays improvised patterns against rhythmic ostinato patterns of other drums

11. Capoeira Afro-Brazilian art form combining music, dance and martial arts

12. Capoeira Instruments: –Berimbau: musical bow with shaker –Pandeiro: similar to tambourine, played with hands –Atabaque drums: similar to conga drums, played with hands –Agógô: double-headed cowbell, struck with stick

13. Roda de Capoeira Jogar = body play –Ginga = basic movement Tocar = musical play –Lead berimbau plays “toques” (rhythmic patterns) –Directs course of the “game” Brincar = verbal play (improvised song lyrics with stock refrains) Malícia=cunning, trickery (ex. Benção)