Afoxê

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Not to be confused with Afoxé.
Afoxé
OriginSalvador da Bahia, Brazil
GenresAfro-Brazilian, Candomblé
Years active1920s–present

The term afoxé refers to a

blocos, afros-groups of mostly black or mulatto musicians who are familiar with African Brazilian music.[1] Afoxés are a cultural and religious entity that preserves a tradition of Afro-Brazilian culture.[5]
 

Afoxé in Afro-Brazilian Carnival

Carnival celebrations in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil

The annual

Afro-Brazilian culture[6][7] The term "Afro" is utilised with reference to a phenomenon originating in Africa but developed in Brazil.[8] Rather than celebrating the sacred Candomblé religion privately, the afoxé Carnival traditions are a public affirmation of the religion, which is openly displayed on the streets in a Carnival context. Carnival plays a fundamental role in defining black identities in the context of the larger society.[1] In Brazil, Carnival is a moment when the racial heritage of Brazil as well as its hybrid cultural traditions is continually presented.[1][4]

History of the Afro-Brazilian Carnival Expression

Towards the end of the nineteenth century, following the abolition of

European descent: members of traditional families, wealthy merchants, high-level government employees and politicians, called for a state intervention in order to prohibit African related practices in Brazil. It was feared that these practices were 'Africanizing' the country's Carnival.[1][11]

Between the years 1905 and 1914, Carnival expressions that included African music, dancing and costumes were banned and forced out of the city's official Carnival by Bahian police.[1] The Afro-bahian practice of Candomblé was recognised as violent and individuals following the religion were subjected to legal prohibitions and police action.[1] This caused these large, organised African groups to separate.[1][9] Afoxés continued their traditions in the poor neighbourhoods of the city.[1][10][12] On February 5, 1921, mentions of 'African' Carnival practices were reintroduced, appearing in the Bahian newspaper, Diário de Notícias.[1]

Candomblé Religion

syncopated musical pattern and rhythm, referred to as ijexá. Ijexá is an integral symbol of black identity in Carnival.[1][13][17] The Afro-religious communities who performed Candomblé music, were known as afoxés.[1]

Afoxé Music in Carnival

animal skins
.
Agogô bell- A percussion instrument used by the Carnival afoxé
Afoxés- small beaded gourds used by the Carnival Afoxé

Whilst respecting and honouring the African and African-Bahian religious

syncopated rhythm in afoxé performances.[1][5] The afoxé gourd shaker is a percussion instrument deriving from West Africa. The instrument contains the gourd (cabaça), which is wrapped in a net with threaded beads and plastic balls. With these instruments, traditional songs deriving from the Candomblé religion are played and sung during afoxé Carnival.[5][18]

These instruments are performed using the ijexá rhythm, a fundamental element of afoxé, which refers to the

syncopated phrasing.[1] Typically, these songs with the Ijexá rhythm performed by the afoxé, are served to honour and praise the African gods known as Orixás of the Canbomblé religion.[1][6] These songs were presented by the afoxé in both African (commonly Yoruban) and Portuguese languages.[3][8][16]

Filhos De Gandhi

Filhos De Gandhi is the most acknowledged afoxé group, as it is considered the largest, oldest and most respected

stevedores, there was an absence of women working and unloading the ships.[19] Women could only offer "logistical support, by taking care of the men's costumes and beautifying their turbans".[19]

The well-acclaimed afoxé group has been granted the title Associação Cultural Recreativa e Carnavalesca Filhos de Gandhy, meaning that the group has a more significant role then annually parading in Afro-Brazilian Carnival, but they also have a religious, cultural, and social presence in the city throughout the year.[2][3][21]

Members of the Filhos de Gandhi afoxé in traditional Carnival costumes

Traditional costumes

Filhos de Gandhi remains appealing to audiences as the group contains a mix of both African and Indian cultures. The African culture is apparent through dancing, music and rituals and the Indian culture is evident through the ornamental charm through its costumes.[2] The costumes of the Filhos de Gandhi men, creates one of the most striking visual images of today's Bahian Carnival.[18][19] During Carnival, Filhos de Gandhi spread awareness of the Orixás by displaying religious iconography on painted banners, floats and through songs, costumes and music.[17]

Filhos de Gandhi members are notable and distinguished for their bejewelled, exotic and extravagant costumes.[2] During Carnival, traditionally Filhos de Gandhi men are clothed in long and white T-shaped tunics, featuring the year's carnival theme, which is clearly imprinted on the front of the men's tunics in the colour blue. Each year, the design varies. The tunic displays an image of the Indian figure, Mahatma Gandhi.[1][2] Filhos De Gandhi men also wear blue socks with white strappy, plastic sandals, which contain the word "Gandhy" printed on them.[2] At the waist, the men use a blue sash to tie around their white tunics. Blue ribbons are used to tie two bows on the men's shoulders in order to pinch the fabric at the shoulder seams of the tunic.[2]

Filhos De Gandhi members receive a long piece of white cotton towel. Prior to the commencement of Carnival, several Filhos De Gandhi members have this large piece of white cotton towel converted to a custom-made head turban.[17] This removable headpiece is referred to as turbantes.[2][19] Jewels and a brooch embellish the turban. The large 3-inch (in diameter) brooch is designed with blue and silver sequins, beads and gems. Brooch designs vary and allows for the men to design it to their own personal preference. A small drawstring bag typically made from cotton is held around the wrist of the men throughout the Carnival. It contains handkerchiefs and a lavender spray called Alfazema.[2][19] Alfazema is included into the Filhos De Gandhi costume due to the widespread belief that lavender contains strong healing properties. Alfazema is held in a small bottle, which is sprayed by the Filhos De Gandhi men throughout the Carnival, in order to help purify, cleanse and calm the chaotic Carnival streets. Filhos De Gandhi perform this with the intent to lead the Brazilian city of Salvador to peace.[2]

The formation of an Afoxé

During Carnival, the formation of an afoxé is typically formed in a line. The line begins with the announcer, followed by the white guard, the King and Queen, the maracatu doll (a traditional black clothed doll representing tribal deities), the flag bearer, the guard of honour and following them is the band of percussionists including drummers, cowbells and shakers.[2][19]

The ijexá rhythm, containing a call and response melody is sung by a soloist and repeated by a chorus. The ijexá rhythm is danced to, using simple yet traditional steps deriving from sacred Candomblé dances.[19] This is characterised by a ginga swing, where the movement of the shoulders and arms are quick with steps that are short and small.[2][19]

References

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