"Tambor de Crioula" on the Hallelujah Saturday at BSAG (03/26/2005)

The Hallelujah Saturday at Baixo Santa do Alto Glória was a very happy day.
Besides the exposition of photos from the film “Céu na Terra by Carnaval Blues”, we rolled out our 150-meter carpet painted by the children of Travessa Cassiano, and also had the presence of the capoeira group Kunta Kinte, along with Dario Firmino and the group Pé de Chinelo.

In our “Maestro Darcy do Jongo” room, we remembered him by dancing the Jongo – kids and adults of all ages, Brazilians and tourists alike joined in.

The group Pé de Chinelo brought us the drumbeats of Africa and we thank them heartily for all the joy and energy they lent to the event.

The characteristic dance called “Tambor de Crioula” traces its origins to Africa, by way of the state of Maranhão, brought by slaves. Although its popularity was spread by Terreiros de Mina, a religious manifestation with African origins, it does not have a religious origin. Danced only by women, it is the a type of belly dance.

Although it is only for diversion and leisure, the Tambor de Crioula in some cases is used for promises to Saint Benedict.

During the dance, the women customarily seduce with their eyes and hip movements. It’s a dance of seduction.

A woman (coreira) enters the circle of dancers, shows reverence by dancing to the three drums and goes to the center. Another dancer asks permission from the first, through an umbigada, the dance’s characteristic belly movement, to enter the circle. This gesture also represents a passage of energy via the womb and a desire for good fertility and health to the offspring of the other woman.

The Tambor de Crioula was originally restricted to the state of Maranhão, but now is gradually spreading and becoming known throughout Brazil.

In Rio de Janeiro it is still a rare privilege to hear, see and participate in a Tambor de Crioula. This shows the importance of groups that disseminated this cultural manifestation not only in Rio, but all over the country.

I’d love to give my friends from Ann Arbor, Michigan the chance to see and participate in this feminine ritual that is full of so much fervor and spontaneity.

Leila Barbosa

Information on Tambor de Crioula is taken from the text of Lucio Oliveira at the Pé de Chinelo site.
http://www.pedechinelo.com.br

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