Jongo in Quissamã

"Jongo" is a dance and musical genre of black communities from southeast Brazil. It is an essentially rural cultural manifestation directly associated with the African culture in Brazil. The formation of "Samba carioca"
was heavily influenced by 'Jongo'. Related to Semba or Masemba of Angola, the 'Jongo' was brought to
Brazil by Bantus. Generally, these Bantus were kidnapped in the ancient kingdoms of Ndongo and Kongo,
which nowadays makes up most of the region of Angola. Composed through characteristics of music and
dance and animated by improvisational poets, the Jongo most likely has its origins in the traditional
Angolan guessing games, the 'Jinongonongo'. One essential characteristic of the 'Jongo' is the use of
symbols that, aside from maintaining rhythm, possess a magical function, apparently provoking
paranormal phenomenon. Among the more evident ones, one can cite the fire, with which the instruments
are tuned; the drums, that are considered to be ancestors of the community, the circular form of the dance
with a couple in the middle, which refers to fertility; and not to forget, the rich metaphors used by the
'jongueiros' (participants of the Jongo) in order to compose its main points and whose meaning is
inaccessible to those not yet initiated.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Jongo
• Quilombo