Os Orfeus da "Aquarela": um estudo sobre a questão racial a partir do batuque afro-brasileiro de Nelson Silva

Abstract

The present work aims to describe and analyze Nelson Silva’s Afro-Brazilian Batuque and its members, by inserting them in the historical-anthropological discussion on race and racism in Brazil. Nelson Silva’s Afro-Brazilian Batuque is a choral, dance and rhythm group, composed by black men and women in the city of Juiz de Fora/MG, whose foundation dates back to 1964. The lyrics performed by the Batuque refer to the slavery period and the afro-brazilians situation in the nacional society, cadenced by rhythms as the moans, the “samba de roda”, the “baião”, the “maxixe”, the “maracatu”, the “maculelê”, the “jongos”, among others. Specifically, this study presents an ethnographic analysis of Nelson Silva’s Afro-Brazilian Batuque, seeking to reflect and understand how the group, in its entirety, and its members, in its particularities, present and stand before the Brazilian racial issue, from the observation of its presentations, stories, experiences, agenda. It was possible, therefore, to reach some conclusions. It is noticed that the Batuque, as a group, represents enslaved, through artistic performance and song lyrics, narrating periods of Brazilian history. In turn, its members are themselves heirs to the Brazilian and the Juizforano legacy, and, consequently, the effects of socio-cultural and historical conformation of the country and its locality. Also, we may notice a break of paradigms involving the group’s goals, as soon as its board changes from white people to black militants, reflection the black movement positions and strengthening the group’s commitment with the black cause.