I feel exceptionally inspired these days. And it’s all because of the carnival. By now you may be under the impression that I am mocking the whole thing, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. I’m loving it! Undoubtedly, I would love it even more if I had a chance to actually watch it live, AT the sambadrome, but not this time. To stay in Rio during these two days would absolutely ruin my budget, so I have to make do with transmissions by Globo. And if you think that my bitterness has something to do with that fact, who knows, you may be onto something.
I have recently mentioned that the samba enredos tend to be repetitive. Obviously, the genre has got its requirements and the public has got their expectations, so certain rules have to be followed. The melody line usually sounds a bit complicated at first, especially for European ears, but having listened to it a few times most people remember it rather effortlessly. The chorus or refrain is meant to be catchy as the idea is that all members of the parade and all fans of the school sing the song together. I suppose these days the problem is that all enredos sound very much alike, so it’s very probable that if you learn a few, you may end up mixing them up without noticing. Assuming that a particular one hasn’t already become your personal anthem; followers of samba schools often resemble football fans, fiercely defending their choices.
I’ve come across the diagram below which explains the formula of samba enredo. So, you begin by welcoming the audience (Alô, meu povo!), then go to the very beginnings (tempos primordios) of whatever it is you want to sing about, choose your main area (African roots, the Amazon, the Sertão or Northeastern Brazil), cram your lines with characteristic words (names of African gods and goddesses, warriors or anything related to Indians and their beliefs, famous revolution leaders or national heroes*, etc.) and then warm up the crowd, throw in a bit of magic or praise a (preferably dead) celebrity. This must almost invariably be followed by a common ôôôô or very Brazilian laia laia and we’re done! Now, since it’s an enredo, it means that the song is looped, so you sing it over and over again (until the end of the parade anyway). Easy-peasy. Ready to write your own?
And these are the most popular words in the samba enredos of carnival day 1 in Rio:
For non-Portuguese speakers, I’ll translate: amor – love, mar – sea, bahia – Bahia (the state), emoção – emotion, sonho – dream, tambor – a big drum, vem – come, vim – I came, chegando – coming, faz – you do / (s)he does, fiz – I did, ancestrais – ancestors, magia – magic, liberdade - freedom. For me the key word here is festejar – celebrate. Go on, celebrate the carnival before it’s over!
*** Some links to read more for the interested:
Maria Bonita - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Bonita
Parintins - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parintins
Enjoy it while you can! I'm jealous! ha!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic post! I loved reading your reflections on Vou Festejar—you really captured the spirit and energy of Carnival so vividly. Your passion for Brazilian music and culture shines through every word. Thanks for sharing not only the history and context but also your personal connection to the song. It’s always a joy to come across writing that feels both informative and heartfelt. Looking forward to exploring more from your blog! Daniel Dantas
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic post! I loved how you captured the vibrant essence of Carnival through your reflections on the song Vou Festejar. Your passion for Brazilian culture, especially samba, truly shines through. The way you explain the samba enredo’s structure and your personal connection to it made the post both informative and engaging. I can feel the energy and joy of Carnival through your words. Looking forward to reading more of your insightful takes on Brazilian music and traditions! Thanks for sharing such a lively piece! Luiz Gustavo Mori
ReplyDeleteSuch a fantastic post! Your insights into Carnival and the samba enredo really bring the spirit of the celebration to life. I love how you captured the essence of the music and the cultural nuances behind the songs. Your passion for Brazil and its traditions shines through in every word. Thank you for sharing both the history and your personal reflections—it makes the Carnival experience feel even more vibrant. Looking forward to reading more of your adventures! Luiz Antonio Duarte Ferreira
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful and vibrant tribute to Brazilian culture and Carnival! Your passion for the music, colors, and energy of the celebration shines through every word. I especially loved how you highlighted the deeper cultural significance behind the festivities—it’s more than just a party, it’s a powerful expression of joy, identity, and resilience. Thanks for sharing such a heartfelt perspective. Looking forward to reading more from you! Beatriz Barata
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful and vibrant post! I truly enjoyed reading your reflections on the song "Vou Festejar." You captured the heart and soul of Carnival, bringing the energy, joy, and cultural significance of the celebration to life. Your passion for Brazilian music and traditions shines through in every word. It's so refreshing to read such heartfelt and insightful writing. Thank you for sharing this vivid experience, and I look forward to exploring more of your blog in the future! Veronica Dantas
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic post! Your vivid description of the Carnival spirit and the samba enredo is truly captivating. You’ve managed to bring the energy, joy, and cultural significance of the celebration to life, and I love how you seamlessly blend historical context with personal reflection. It’s clear that your passion for Brazilian music and culture shines through in every word. I’ll be sure to check out more of your insightful and heartfelt writing. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful perspective! Sidney De Queiroz Pedrosa
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