Music in the Afro Brazilian Religion Candomble Research Paper - 1

Music in the Afro Brazilian Religion Candomble - Research Paper Example This "Music in the Afro Brazilian Religion Candomble" essay outlines the characteristics of Brazilian religion. The features included in the religion include vigorous rituals and music that are very imperative in its development. The Capoeira is one recognized art in the Afro Brazilian setting that has the combination of music and dance. The specific ritual is martial art created in Brazil by slaves of the African continent and characterized by very fast and swift moves that are rather complex for anyone not well trained to comprehend. The power exerted in the dance is vast and thus for a person to perform the art well, strength is an important factor. One of the instruments used in the Capoeira is the berimbau. The instrument has its importance in that it brings out the rhythm of the songs in performance. Rhythm is an integral part of the ritual and without it; there can be no sense of dance in the music played in the Capoeira. The berimbau is not the only instrument played in the Capoeira but rather one of a set. The set is arranged in a row where there are three berimbeu, an agogo and two pendeiros (Rohrig 167). The full formation of the set is very important in that each of the instruments has a role that it plays in the completion of a perfect Candomble dance. All the instruments are supposed to follow the formation of the rhythm of the berimbau. The songs played in the Capoeira have different themes and purposes. There are also the songs played in various games in an effort to boost the morale of the players.