The exchange represents a moment of sharing experiences between peoples of diverse cultures and oral traditions, and has proven to be a rich way to provide contacts and learning opportunities. It was with this intention that the Intercultural Exchange took place between the Guajajara people of the Rio Pindaré Indigenous Land and the quilombola community of Vila Fé em Deus, in the municipality of Santa Rita – MA, in November 2018. On that occasion, the participants went to learn about and participate in the Tambor de Crioula Festival in honor of Saint Benedict, who is traditionally honored as the protector of Black lands, quilombos, and ancestral history. The initiative was conceived and organized by the Mainumy Association of the Pindaré Indigenous Land and the Community Association of the Quilombo Remnant of Vila Fé em Deus, and had the support of ISPN, within the scope of the Strategic Program of Maranhão (Poema) and the Basic Environmental Plan – Indigenous Component in the Ethnodevelopment Subprogram, in partnership with Vale.
Tambor de Crioula is a dance of African origin practiced in the quilombos (settlements of escaped slaves) of Maranhão and perpetuated through generations. It generally occurs at birthday parties, football victories, celebrations for the elderly (Preto Velho), bumba-meu-boi (a traditional Brazilian folk dance), or the feast of a patron saint. It is commonly danced during Carnival, June festivals, and is always associated with the praise of Saint Benedict.
The period between the preparations and the day of the Tambor festival is a great moment of cooperation and fellowship in the quilombo. Men, women, and young people help organize the space, decorate the altar of Saint Benedict, build the bonfire to warm the drum skins, and prepare the food, which is shared among everyone in the community and the guests. And so it was in Vila Fé em Deus, a great celebration and a demonstration of the appreciation and perpetuation of cultural traditions, enlivening residents and attracting people from neighboring localities and the main municipality.
The Tambor de Crioula dance does not require rehearsals, as the way of dancing is passed down by the dancers (women who dance the drum) to the younger women within the circle. The women wear full skirts with brightly colored prints, wide petticoats with lace trim, and white or colored lace blouses with low necklines. The men wear white trousers, straw hats, and patterned shirts.
The animation is done with the singing led by the men and accompanied by the women. A man starts the initial chant. Then, the chorus – which is followed by three drums: the large drum, the medium drum, and the sieve drum – calls for and keeps the drum circle alive, with this song becoming the refrain for the improvisations that will follow.
In addition to dancing and being the highlight of the circle, the women help to sing the songs. The themes, freely sung in tunes, refer to praise for patron saints, satires, tributes to women, challenges between singers, everyday events, and farewells.
The Tambor de Crioula dance features free and varied choreography. The movements are looser, more intense, and well-accentuated, following the rhythm of the musicians. The dance has a particular feature: the punga or umbigada (belly bump). Among women, it is characterized as an invitation to join the circle. When one of them is in the center and wants to leave, she moves towards another companion, applying the punga, which consists of touching her belly. The one who is in the circle then goes to the center to continue the game.
“I grew up within the Tambor de Crioula tradition. It’s a tradition passed down by my grandfather, who learned it from my great-grandfather. And so, we pass it on from generation to generation. It’s a great joy to be able to carry this culture forward. We are even happier to welcome our indigenous brothers and sisters, to come here, and learn a little about our culture,” said Genilton Barbosa, proud president of the Tambor de Crioula Association of the Vila Fé em Deus Quilombo.
Arlete Viana Guajajara, from the Guajajara people of the Januária Village (Rio Pindaré Indigenous Territory), was amazed upon experiencing the Tambor de Crioula Festival. “We observed how much this cultural expression is valued by the quilombos. And we need this: to learn about other cultures to strengthen our own. We were amazed to see young people, children, and adults involved in the festival. From this moment on, we establish partnerships and affective bonds with this community. I was very moved by this appreciation; it reminded me a lot of our culture. For over 500 years, we have continued to resist and preserve it,” she emphasized.
Saint Benedict – He is a Black African saint. In Brazil, veneration began strongly during the period of slavery, within the slave quarters. He is considered the patron saint of gastronomy and cooks. He is also associated with abundance and food.
Tambor de Crioula is Cultural Heritage – In 2007, Tambor de Crioula was declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Brazil. Law No. 13.248 of January 12, 2016, established June 18 as Tambor de Crioula Day. The law was voted on by the National Congress and sanctioned by the Federal Government.