Critical Reading Review 6
Murphy, John P. “Chapter 3: Expressing Afro-Brazilian and Indigenous Identity.” In Music in Brazil: Experience Music, Expressing Culture. Pp. 55-70. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006.
Summary:
The first half of the chapter is dedicated to describing capoeira, a mixture of "dance, music, and sport." There are always two dancing participants, and typically only the head, feet, and hands can touch the ground. The pair direct kicks at each other, and they dodge these attacks through movements like cartwheels (one variant of capoeira is mainly a martial arts form). The most prominent instrument in these displays is the berimbau, a bowed instrument whose tone is controlled by the musician pressing a coin into the string. The latter part of the chapter talked about the Kayapó, an indigenous group of people in Brazil, and some descriptions of their rituals, like the nhiok, a rite where girls are given their names. The Kayapó are now adapting to the changing environment and are taking up activism to advocate for their rights (not allowing miners to mine on their land and release dangerous gases for example).
Discussion Question:
It is a commonly held idea that capoeira has a strong historical connection to rebellion in Brazilian slaves. Are there any traditions or practices in your country that the people there similarly associate with their history?
Summary:
The first half of the chapter is dedicated to describing capoeira, a mixture of "dance, music, and sport." There are always two dancing participants, and typically only the head, feet, and hands can touch the ground. The pair direct kicks at each other, and they dodge these attacks through movements like cartwheels (one variant of capoeira is mainly a martial arts form). The most prominent instrument in these displays is the berimbau, a bowed instrument whose tone is controlled by the musician pressing a coin into the string. The latter part of the chapter talked about the Kayapó, an indigenous group of people in Brazil, and some descriptions of their rituals, like the nhiok, a rite where girls are given their names. The Kayapó are now adapting to the changing environment and are taking up activism to advocate for their rights (not allowing miners to mine on their land and release dangerous gases for example).
Discussion Question:
It is a commonly held idea that capoeira has a strong historical connection to rebellion in Brazilian slaves. Are there any traditions or practices in your country that the people there similarly associate with their history?
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