Brazil - Social/Religious Structure

Question 1

Candomblé/Condomblé

Answer 1

• Afro-brazilian spirit possession religion, with origins in Yoruba religious ritual created by African slaves and their descendants.
• Purpose: Maintain connection with one’s African roots, Strengthen connection with chosen saint/orisha, To call upon a specific orisha for protection
• Condomble culture: This religious practice helped the slaves to worship their own gods in a disguise as Catholic saints; It is a danced form of religious worship involving possession and trance; A fusion of African and Catholic beliefs and practices – For example: river rituals associated with baptism
• Oro: Public Condomble Ceremonies; Goal: to invite the orisha to come into the space and the spirit to enter the worshipper; Each person dances to invite a deity into their body

Question 2

Orishas/orixas

Answer 2

Orishas were identified and hidden by matching them up with Catholic saints i.e. Yemanja (seas, the oceans) - Virgin Mary & Ogun - St. George

Question 3

Yemanja

Answer 3

(seas, the oceans) - Virgin Mary

Question 4

Ogun

Answer 4

St. George

Question 5

Olodum

Answer 5

Grupo Cultural Olodum - dance and music performance company

• President/Director is Joao Jorge Santos Rodrigues
• Not only an artist but also a historian and in this was, a guardian of the music, song and dance forms.

Question 6

Carnival

Answer 6

• Carnival of Brazil: Pagan foundation; Christian incarnation; Vehicle for Afro-Brazilian heritage search and rebirth
• Carnival in Rio: Carnival parades take place before the beginning of Lent; Samba schools create enormous floats, musical groups and groups of dancers dressed in elaborate costumes; Sambadrome - approx. 800 meters (about ½ mile) with seating for 60,000 - 65,000 people.
• Carnival in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: Blocos Afros and Afoxe - The groups who raise the awareness of the african heritage of so many people in Brazil; Through music and dance, the character of the African heritage is celebrated.; Hybrid music evolves to compliment the return of strong African rhythms with the addition of European brass instruments - such as trumpets.