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FEEL THE VIBE

The community wakes up ready to party. The chapel is all decorated. The litters of Nossa Senhora do Rosário and Santa Efigênia are full of flowers. The members of the Mozambique guard are already on the streets in their blue uniform. The Congo Guard, in pink. Some people in the community, crowned as kings and queens, wear robes that identify their saints of devotion.

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The quilombola community of Arturos will be the center of a very important celebration today.

It's May 13th: a date to be celebrated according to the African (roots) traditions of this great family: with a lot of drumming, a lot of faith and a lot of joy.

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SINTA-SE LA
FOTOS

PHOTOS

Several other guards of Congo and Mozambique are heading there. Together, they leave in a small procession to the church of Paróquia Nossa Senhora do Rosário.

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​They move while dancing and singing along all the way, many go barefoot; men, shirtless. The drums give rhythm to the procession. Each Guard in its own time, but without ever distancing themselves from the Brotherhood.

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Despite being late autumn, the sun is strong. But this is also a strong people, who continue to fight for their space in Brazil, where slavery was officially abolished on May 13, 1888.

TRADITIONAL MUSIC

Fim do cativeiroArturos
00:00 / 00:57
Congada na capelaComunidade dos Arturos
00:00 / 04:44
Música
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GLOSSARY

CONGADA

Dramatic ballet in which the participants, wearing traditional costumes, represent the heart of a Congo king with songs and dance choreographies.

GUARDA

Group of dancers that can be from Congados, Mozambiques, Marujadas, etc.

GUNGAS

Tin rattles (made of stainless steel sheet) attached to a leather strap and tied to the ankles of the participants in the Mozambique guard.

MOÇAMBIQUE

Group dance with formation in rows. Two rows of participants face each other, with a stick in their right hand and paiás on their ankles. Placing the crossed sticks on the floor, the dancers sing as they dance. Whoever touches a bat will be replaced.

PAIÁ

Anklet with rattles, tied to one or both legs of those participating in the Mozambique dance.

PONTO

Evocative sung prayer that aims to attract and honor ancestors and spiritual deities.

REINADO

Community that houses one or more guards from Congados, Mozambiques, Marujadas, etc. and a royal court (representing the honored saints). The term can also be used as a synonym for Brotherhood as it is the junction between a set of African beliefs and values, especially of Bantu origin, integrated into the faith and the Catholic liturgy.

TERNO

Musical group that sings from door to door at religious or folkloric festivals

GLOSSARIO
SAIBA MAIS

FURTHER MORE

Singing and Reigning with the Arturos

​(book with CDs and song lyrics)

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Mockup-dossie da Comunidade dos Arturos.png

DEEP INSIDE

Arturos Community Registration Dossier

(IEPHA-MG)

APROFUNDANDO
ONDE FICA

WHERE IS IT?

Contagem (MG)

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