With origins in the late 19th century, frevo is a manifestation of typical Pernambuco body culture. It is not new to state that the term frevo is due to a popular alteration of the word boil. According to information available on the website of “Galo da Madrugada”, one of the most traditional Carnival groups in Recife, as the rhythm was very fast-paced, "over the years, the term used by people for the rhythm was 'frervendo' and thus became known as frevo”.
According to Edson Carneiro, cited in the Cravo Albin Dictionary of Brazilian Popular Music, it is necessary to distinguish between frevo music and frevo dance. Although many recognize frevo music as folklore, musicologists classify it as a peculiarity of Brazilian Popular Music. However, this discussion about music is the responsibility of Art Education. It is body culture, the interest of Physical Education and, therefore, it is specifically dance that will be addressed in this text.
Initially, the term frevo designated a street party marked by intense music. Newspaper reports at the time, prior to the annual event, are indicative to show that this party really won the streets of the city of Recife. To contain the “frervor” of the revelers, the organizers started to hire capoeira groups that presented in front of the blocks, in order to control the violent behavior that sometimes arose. Furthermore, the use of the umbrella – or umbrella, depending on the region – in dance also has the same origin: capoeira groups also used this device to control the population.
If we closely observe the frevo's bodily movements today, we can clearly identify the influence of capoeira in its composition, especially low movements, which require maximum flexion of the knees. There are currently, on average, 120 steps cataloged for frevo. In general, the more complex steps, which include acrobatic skills, are performed only by block dancers, the large mass of revelers keeps their fun with simpler steps and popular.
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Some blocks are so important that they help to perpetuate frevo as a cultural heritage of Recife, such as the aforementioned “Galo da Madrugada”, from Recife, and “Clube de Vassourinhas”, from Olinda. So it's worth commenting a little about them.
Clube de Vassourinhas is a symbolic element of Pernambuco frevo. It has been parading for over a hundred years on the streets of the city of Olinda and has gained a place in history, among others things, by the music-symbol of frevo: Vassourinhas, composed by Matias da Rocha and Joana Batista in 1907. Such is the popularity of this song, that it was even adapted into a political jingle of Jânio Quadros' candidacy for the presidency of the Republic.
Galo da Madrugada was created in 1978 with the sole purpose of rescuing street frevo. It leaves every year on Carnival Saturday and, in 1984, it joined Guinness as the biggest street block in the world. His anthem is always sung with great joy by the city of Recife during carnival, composed by José Mário Chaves, and has even been recorded by singer Alceu Valença:
"Hey guys, come guys
Carnival starts at Galo da Madrugada (BIS)
The morning is already breaking,
The sun brightens the city with its crystal rays
And the Dawn Rooster is already on the street, finishing off the Carnival
Hey, guys...
the maidens are sleeping
The colors receiving the morning dew
And the Rooster of the Morning
It's already on the street, finishing off the Carnival
Hey, guys...
The Rooster is also a fight, the sharp spurs
And the crest is coral
And the Galo da Madrugada is already on the street
closing the carnival
Hey, guys..."
To know more:
Morning rooster – www.galodamadrugada.org.br
Cravo Albin Dictionary of Brazilian Popular Music – www.dicionariompb.com.br
By Paula Rondinelli
Brazil School Collaborator
Graduated in Physical Education from the São Paulo State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” – UNESP
Master in Motricity Sciences from the São Paulo State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” – UNESP
Doctoral Student in Integration of Latin America at the University of São Paulo - USP
PE - Brazil School
