North by Northeast

Question 1

what is the sertão?

Answer 1

• a region in the inland areas of northern and northeastern Brazil of great historical and symbolic importance to Brazilians
• marked by wealth disparities; sparse, mixed-race populations
• in the early 20th century, the region is host to cangaceiro outlaws

Question 2

who is Luis Gonzaga?

Answer 2

• born in a poor family in the sertão of Pernambuco: a victim of racial prejudice and a migrant

Question 3

forro

Answer 3

• typically features an accordion, triangle, and a zambumba bass drum
• lyrically, often makes references to the sertão and to displacement
• today it is a widely popular as dance music in Brazil and beyond

Question 4

Bumba-meu-boi

Answer 4

• most likely emerged on Northeastern slave plantations as a satirical adaptation of colonial Portuguese traditions
• known for its ornate costumes and playful/musical variations on the the central theme

Question 5

“Deus me Proteja”

Answer 5

• performed by Chico Cesar and Dominguinhos
• traditional forro on the surface: accordiion, triangle, zambumba bass drum
• different than forro due to slick production and spoken word ending

Question 6

maracutú

Answer 6

• closely associated with the state of Pernambuco: higly afro-brazilian
• marked by extravagant pageantry, with a standard-bearer and royalty ; well suited to carnival