Did You Know?

DID YOU KNOW?

AGOGO	CAIXA	PANDEIRO
REPINIQUE	SURDO	GANZA

WHAT IS SAMBA?
Samba is the music and dance of Brazilian Carnival; a spectacle that can amount to up to four hundred drummers and several thousand dancers; Samba is the music of the African slaves transported to Latin America and has strong links to Western African drumming forms; It is highly percussive and uses large drums (SURDOS), bells (COWBELLS and double- and triple- toned AGOGOS), high pitched drums (REPINIQUES), snare drums (CAIXAS), TAMBORINS, GANZAS, CHOCALHOS, PANDEIROS and other instruments large and small.

WHAT IS THE FIGA?
Symbol of the age-old myths of Africa, this clenched-fist good-luck charm came to Brazil with its XVII century slave trade. As tribal memories paled over generations, belief in its powers to increase warriors' fertility also faded, but until nowadays it is prized by both men and women purely for luck. Ranging from delicate earrings to meter-tall sculptures, Brazil's attractive figa may be carved from wood or stone, crafted from plain or precious metals, and even set with gems. Tradition holds that, in order to bring luck, a figa must always be a gift.

WHAT IS THE PENCA?
Status of Brazil's XVII and XVIII century plantations, prized slaves received a silver chain and clasp from their masters. Over time, charms rewarding loyalty and service were added, often in the shape of fruit, fish, good-luck figas and berimbaus. Today's pencas -- made from silver, copper or brass -- range from earring miniatures to massive coffee-table versions. Once proof of fidelity and diligence, they form a tasteful link with Brazil's picturesque past.

WHAT ARE THE CLAY FIGURINES?
Reflecting primitive Amerindian cultures, traditional clay-sculpting techniques are widespread throughout the State of Pernambuco. In 1942, Mestre Vitalino began to use clay to depict the daily lives and customs of the region, and passed this craft on to his descendents. Portraits of typical families of Retirantes escape the drought-stricken scrublands of Northeastern brazil. His pieces are today on display in various museums around the world.

WHAT IS THE BERIMBAU?
A living relic of Africa, this vibrant bow-drum was used by combative slaves to set the beat for once-lethal capoeira, today Brazil's own balletis martial art. Tapped rapidly with a thin stick, the tighly-drawn cord produces a throbbing note that reverberates out from a hollow gourd attached to the brightly-painted wooden bow. Its driving rhythms pace and command the tightly-coordinated movements of capoeira dancers -- normally men -- in their traditional costume of vividly-sashed white breeches.

WHAT IS THE CAIPIRINHA?
The literal translation for Caipirinha is "little country hick", and it is the fond nickname for Brazil's national drink, made with mulled lime sections, sugar, ice and "cachaça". Made with vodka instead of "cachaça" it is called a "caipiroska".

WHAT IS A SAMBA SCHOOL?
A Samba School is the most complex and most demanding of the samba groups. Minimally, it must have a "bateria" and compose its own songs, a group of "baianas", flag-bearer and ballroom master, front commission, and parade once a year in a formal setting with a chosen theme. Although many groups have "samba school" in their titles, they are not really samba schools but some other type found hereafter. Also often defined by many it's a tradition from father to son.

WHAT IS BLOCO?
A "Bloco" is the step just before a samba school. At a minimum, "blocos" have a percussion unit and dancers and participate formally in parade formation once a year.

WHAT IS BATERIA?
A "Bateria" is a group that only has drummers. Sometimes they join up with dance groups to parade.

Contact:

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