Uma breve história do samba – Ocupação Cartola (2016)

Itaú Cultural

16 Sept 201611:38

Summary

TLDRThe script delves into the historical evolution of samba in Brazil, highlighting its humble beginnings in Praça Onze and its journey from a marginalized cultural expression to an internationally recognized art form. It discusses the societal impacts, the role of samba schools, and the challenges faced by iconic figures like Cartola. The narrative underscores the resilience of the samba community in preserving their cultural heritage despite various obstacles, including social prejudice and urban changes, while also adapting and integrating into mainstream society.

Takeaways

🌟 Samba has evolved from its humble beginnings in the streets and plazas of Rio de Janeiro, particularly around the Plaza Onze, to become a significant part of Brazilian culture and society.
🎶 The samba genre has been influenced by various artists and has been adapted and refined over time, moving from its roots in samba de terreiro to more formalized settings like the salões of society.
🏙️ Urban interventions and changes in Rio de Janeiro have displaced communities and their cultural practices, leading to a reevaluation and reconnection with their roots through the creation of samba schools and blocos.
💃 The establishment of samba schools and blocos was initially a way for marginalized communities to regain a sense of identity and belonging, and to display their cultural heritage in a more organized and presentable manner.
📚 The 'Livro de Ouro' (Golden Book) was used by samba schools to seek support from influential individuals and businesses, which eventually led to these individuals gaining power within the schools and influencing their direction.
🎉 The parades and displays of samba have become a form of reoccupation and reclaiming of spaces that were once the heart of these communities, such as Plaza Onze, symbolizing a return to their roots and a reassertion of their cultural presence.
👮‍♂️ There has been a history of marginalization and persecution of samba and its practitioners, with notable figures like Cartola and Nelson Feliszilla facing challenges and even persecution for their art.
🎵 The role of samba composers like Cartola has been crucial in maintaining the integrity and authenticity of samba music, even as external pressures and expectations have tried to shape it in different ways.
🏆 The rise of samba schools in the carnival parades has brought both recognition and challenges, with the need to balance the preservation of traditional samba with the demands of modern audiences and the expectations of the carnival organizers.
🌐 The global recognition and representation of samba, inspired by the genius of its artists, has helped it to penetrate and influence other cultural expressions beyond Brazil, showcasing its versatility and appeal.

Q & A

What is the general theme of the script?
-The script discusses the evolution and cultural significance of samba in Brazilian society, its origins, and how it has transitioned from a marginalized art form to one that is recognized and celebrated.
How is samba described in relation to its origins and societal acceptance?
-Samba is described as having originated from the marginalized communities and later gaining acceptance and recognition in broader society, moving from the streets to the salons of the elite and eventually being embraced by mainstream culture.
What role did the 'escola de samba' play in the transformation of samba?
-The 'escola de samba' played a crucial role in transforming samba from a marginalized art form to a more organized and recognized cultural phenomenon. It helped to standardize the art form and make it more presentable to a wider audience.
How did the 'escola de samba' initially gain support for their performances?
-Initially, the 'escola de samba' sought support through a 'livro de ouro,' which was a book of prominent individuals, such as merchants and business owners, who were asked to support the samba schools by bringing the carnival to the streets.
What is the significance of the 'samba de terreiro' mentioned in the script?
-The 'samba de terreiro' refers to the traditional, grassroots form of samba that was practiced in community spaces and was more authentic and less formalized than the samba that was later adapted for mainstream audiences.
What challenges did samba face in terms of societal and racial prejudices?
-The script mentions that despite its growing popularity, samba and its practitioners faced significant racial prejudices and marginalization, with instances of police persecution and societal disdain for the art form.
How did the script describe the impact of urban interventions on the samba community?
-The script describes urban interventions as causing displacement and disconnection for the samba community, forcing them to reestablish their social and emotional ties and find new ways to connect with their cultural roots.
What is the significance of the 'bloco' mentioned in the script?
-The 'bloco' is significant as it represents a form of organization and community engagement that emerged as a response to the challenges faced by the samba community, helping to preserve and promote the art form.
How did the samba community respond to the challenges of marginalization and disconnection?
-The samba community responded by creating the 'escola de samba' and 'bloco' to reestablish their cultural identity and to reconnect with mainstream society, using these platforms to showcase their art and gain recognition.
What is the role of the 'grêmio recreativo' in the context of samba schools?
-The 'grêmio recreativo' refers to the recreational clubs that were initially part of the samba schools. Over time, they evolved to become more formalized organizations, playing a key role in the administration and promotion of samba schools.
How did the script characterize the relationship between samba and the middle class?
-The script suggests that the middle class began to engage with samba as a form of entertainment, recognizing its cultural value and contributing to its mainstream acceptance and growth.

Outlines

00:00

🎶 Evolution of Samba

This paragraph reminisces about the old days of samba, highlighting its humble beginnings at Praça Onze. It describes how samba evolved from being a street and backyard dance to gaining acceptance in high society and eventually achieving international acclaim. The narrative reflects on the cultural significance and social dynamics surrounding samba, emphasizing its journey from marginalization to widespread recognition.

05:02

🌟 The Rise of Samba Schools

This section focuses on the development of samba schools and their role in promoting samba culture. It explains how samba schools emerged from marginalized communities, providing a sense of belonging and recreating social bonds. The paragraph details the formation of these schools, their struggle for recognition, and the impact of influential figures and external support in legitimizing and popularizing samba as a respected cultural expression.

10:04

📜 Challenges and Transformations in Samba

This paragraph discusses the challenges faced by samba, including marginalization and social prejudice. It highlights incidents of discrimination and the efforts to control and sanitize samba's image. The narrative includes stories of key personalities like Cartola, who resisted changes that compromised the authenticity of samba. The passage also touches on the institutionalization of samba schools and their adaptation to changing social dynamics, emphasizing the enduring spirit of samba amid evolving cultural landscapes.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Samba

Samba is a lively Brazilian music genre with African roots that has evolved into various styles. In the video's context, it represents a cultural expression that has transitioned from being a marginalized art form to gaining mainstream recognition. The script mentions how samba has moved from the streets and terreiros ('religious spaces') to being performed in more formal settings, reflecting its journey from the margins to the center of Brazilian society.

💡Malandros

Malandros, in the Brazilian context, refers to individuals who are seen as street-smart or cunning, often associated with the lower social classes. In the script, malandros are mentioned alongside samba, suggesting their historical connection to the art form and its origins in the poorer neighborhoods of Brazil.

💡Terreiro

A terreiro is a space associated with Afro-Brazilian religious practices, often linked to Candomblé. In the video, terreiro is used to describe the origins of samba, indicating the cultural and religious roots of the music genre and its initial association with marginalized communities.

💡Carnaval

Carnaval is a Brazilian festival known for its street parades, samba schools, and vibrant celebrations. The script discusses how samba schools initially sought support from the community to put on their Carnaval performances, highlighting the importance of this event in showcasing samba and its evolution into a more organized and recognized form.

💡Samba Schools

Samba schools are organizations that prepare for and participate in the Carnaval parades in Rio de Janeiro. The script mentions the creation of samba schools as a strategy for marginalized communities to reconnect with mainstream society, using samba as a means of cultural expression and social integration.

💡Urban Interventions

Urban interventions refer to large-scale changes made to urban landscapes, often involving the displacement of communities. In the video, urban interventions are mentioned in relation to the movement of the black and poor population, indicating how these changes affected the social fabric and the cultural practices of samba.

💡Marginalization

Marginalization is the process of pushing certain groups or practices to the periphery of society. The script discusses the marginalization of samba and its practitioners, noting how they were initially excluded from mainstream recognition but later managed to gain visibility and acceptance.

💡Cultural Reconnection

Cultural reconnection refers to the process of re-establishing cultural ties and practices that have been disrupted or marginalized. The script describes how communities used samba as a means to reconnect with their cultural heritage and with broader society, illustrating the transformative power of cultural expression.

💡Samba de Quadra

Samba de Quadra is a style of samba that is performed in a square or open space, often associated with samba schools. The script mentions the transition from samba de terreiro to samba de quadra, reflecting the evolution of samba from its religious and community origins to a more public and organized form.

💡Cultural Representation

Cultural representation is the portrayal of a culture's values, practices, and identity. The script discusses how samba, once marginalized, has become a significant form of cultural representation for Brazil, showcasing the country's rich musical heritage and social history.

💡Social Inclusion

Social inclusion refers to the process of ensuring that all members of a society feel a sense of belonging and have equal opportunities to participate. The video script touches on the theme of social inclusion through the story of samba, highlighting how it has been used as a tool for marginalized communities to gain recognition and participate more fully in Brazilian society.

Highlights

The evolution of samba from its humble beginnings to its current status as a cultural phenomenon.

The samba's journey from the streets to being embraced by high society and its impact on the art form.

The role of samba in preserving and recreating the cultural identity of marginalized communities.

The transformation of samba from a terreiro (religious community) activity to a mainstream form of entertainment.

The influence of urban planning and societal changes on the samba community and its response to these shifts.

The establishment of samba schools and their role in organizing and elevating the samba art form.

The use of the 'golden book' by samba schools to seek support from influential figures for their growth and recognition.

The social dynamics within samba schools, including the power struggles and the influence of external forces.

The significance of the samba parade as a form of reclamation and a statement of belonging for marginalized communities.

The challenges faced by samba artists, such as Nelson Feliszilla, and their resilience in the face of persecution.

The historical context of samba and its connection to the broader narrative of Brazil's social and cultural history.

The role of samba in fostering community and social cohesion among the Brazilian population.

The impact of the middle class on the samba scene and the shift in the perception of samba as a form of entertainment.

The evolution of samba schools from grassroots organizations to structured institutions with formal governance.

The importance of authenticity and tradition in samba composition and performance, as exemplified by figures like Cartola.

The tension between innovation and tradition within the samba community and the challenges of balancing both.

The personal stories and experiences of samba artists that reflect the broader social and cultural changes in Brazil.