Marambire: African dances in Northeastern Brazil

Last chance to watch "Marambiré", documentary about the Brazilian dance, music and singing movement rooted in Central Africa.

The documentary shows the dynamics of Marambiré in the quilombola community of Pacoval, in the city of Alenquer (Para), which references the ancient kingdoms of Central Africa.

Through testimonies from popular masters, the ritual of dance, music and singing is presented, marked heavily by drums and recreating a theatrical universe with king, queen, princesses, “waltzers”, players and foremen.

The festival of African origin is celebrated through religious dances practiced in the past by black people enslaved in quilombos, in gratitude for freedom, planting and harvest results.

Welcomed by the syncretism and saints of the Catholic church, the dance is formed by queens and kings of the Congo, honoring Saint Benedict and making references to other saints. One of the highlights of the celebration is the moment when the procession sings the song Calice Bento, composed by Tavinho Moura and famously performed by Milton Nascimento.

Passed down from generation to generation by refugee slaves in search of freedom, the dance today takes the form of a syncretic celebration that includes elements of African cults and Christian religion, as well as Portuguese and African cultures.

Original title Marambiré
English title Marambire
Genre Documentary
Director André dos Santos