Genre research project 8/1357: Maracatu

Mestre Ambrósio - Mestre Ambrósio

Maracatu is an ancient carnival tradition from the north-east of Brazil. Maracatu has its roots in the sugar fazendas and slave estates of Pernambuco state, where black African slaves formed religious brotherhoods to preserve African culture and heritage. Each year the crowning of the slave King and Queen was celebrated with music and dance.

This rich cultural ceremony - first recorded in 1674 - has been preserved through the centuries by the maracatu naçãoes - literally 'maracatu nations', which form the colourful parades of drums, dancers and costumed kings and queens of today's world famous Recife carnival.