congada, congado or Congo, is a cultural and religious expression that involves singing, dancing, theater and Christian and African-inspired spiritualities.
In this celebration, Nossa Senhora do Rosário, São Benedito and Santa Efigênia are praised, remembering the protection that these saints gave to black slaves. In some congadas, the figure of Chico Rei and the struggle between Christians and Moors are remembered.
The congada is celebrated from north to south of Brazil. There is no fixed day, but the months of May and October, dedicated to Our Lady, are usually chosen for the feast. In some parts of Brazil, congada is celebrated in December.
Origin of the Congada
Congada is a mixture of the festivals brought by enslaved blacks with the Christian religiosity practiced in the colony.
However, its origins go back to Africa itself, when the subjects made the procession to the Congo Kings, in order to thank their rulers.
Upon reaching the colony, the blacks immediately recognized themselves with black saints such as St. Benedict the African, St. Efigênia, an Ethiopian princess, and Our Lady of the Rosary.
All these saints were identified with African ancestors and were honored with cults and churches built with the work and money of freed and enslaved.
Another figure greeted at the party is Princess Isabel, for her role in the liberation of slaves. The tradition of a figure of the African monarchy is crossed with the Brazilian one.
We highlight two legends that explain the origin of congada: the life of Chico Rei and the apparition of Our Lady at sea.
Chico Rei's Story
Legend has it that Galanga, real name of Chico Rei, was the monarch of his tribe in Congo, and was captured with all his people. Baptized, he received the name Francisco and during the crossing to the colony of Portuguese America, Brazil, there was a great storm.
The sailors, afraid that the ship would capsize, threw Chico's wife and daughter overboard, so that the waters would calm down.
When they arrived here, in 1740, Chico and his son were bought and taken to the mine region, Vila Rica, now Ouro Preto. In this way, Chico sets to work day after day and gathers a large quantity of metal, enough to buy his freedom, that of his son and that of more than 200 slaves.
The slaves who were freed by him began to treat him like a king, at the same time as the church of Santa Efigênia was built.
Every year, before the mass dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary, on October 7, there was a procession where Chico Rei was sung, danced and honored.
Although this legend has no historical evidence, the tale is part of the oral traditions of Minas Gerais and has survived over time among the congadeiros.
Apparition of Our Lady
Another legend that is part of the mystical foundation of the congada is the appearance of an image of Our Lady in the sea.
It is said that several groups went to try to get her, singing and dancing. The saint approached but never moved much.
The last group to try were precisely those from Mozambique, who were slaves and wore chains around their ankles. With their laments, they manage to bring the image to the coast and since then, Moçambiques and Congadeiros have become the guardians of the image of the Virgin of the Rosary.
Congada plot
Basically, the congada tells the story of the Angolan ambassador who, on behalf of Queen Ginga, visits the King of Congo on a festive day and almost causes a war. There is struggle, but Christians win.
Likewise, a couple of slaves were often crowned to be the "kings" of the feast and the sound of drumming in the church was tolerated by Catholic authorities.
Congada Characters
A congada can have 50 to 200 or more participants divided into fifty characters.
The groups are divided into two: a Congada from above and the Congada from below. In Congada de Cima we have King, Queen, Princes, Chief, Fidalgos or Vassalos and children who are called "conguinhos".
In Congada de Baixo we have the Ambassador and the Secretary, the procession and the warriors.
The Congo party is far from being uniform, as each region has been adding its traditions and experiences.
Congada dance
The dance represents the coronation of the king of the Congo, accompanied by a procession called Tuxedo or guard. For each suit there is a leader, the "captain".
Likewise, the struggles between Moors and Christians, or pagans and baptized are presented in the form of choreographies. These are profiled from the front and “fight” each other with sticks, with their blows marking the beat of the music and the party.
Below is an example of this "combat" carried out during the congada of são Benedito, in Motor Cunha/SP:
Congada Musical Instruments
The musical instruments used are the cuíca, box, tambourine, reco-reco, cavaquinho, viola, guitar, tarol, tambourine, ganzá, accordion, fiddle (or violin) or accordion.
These instruments accompany the chant that is sung with lyrics in Portuguese, but also with words from the Bantu language.
In the best oral tradition, the singing is led by one person and the crowd follows the chorus. The lyrics speak of the suffering of slavery, of the laments of a people torn from their land.
However, through the invocation of the saints and the forces from on high, they are also songs of hope, redemption and hope for a better life.
Congada Costumes and Props
Clothes are very important in the congada because they represent the hierarchy and the characters at parties.
Shirts, capes, hats, swords and scarves are part of the outfits that must be made of comfortable fabrics so as not to inhibit movement.
In addition, there is a series of colored ribbons and flags that bear the image of the saints and identify the different groups in the procession.
The jewels and crowns of kings are enormous, showing the opulence of African sovereigns.
Congadas in Brazil
Several states in Brazil celebrate congadas. Let's look at some examples below:
| Name | Local |
|---|---|
| Catalan Congada | Catalan/GO |
| Congado Reign of Our Lady and Saint Efigênia | Ouro Preto/MG |
| Osorio's Mozambique | Osório/RS |
| Congada da Lapa | Lapa/PR |
| Serra do Salitre Congada | Serra do Salitre/MG |
| Congada Party in Uberlândia | Uberlândia/MG |
- Syncretism
- Midwest Culture
- Southeast culture
- Northern Culture
- Maracatu
- Boom my ox
- Kings' Folia
- Afoxe
- African Dances
- Carimbó: origin, types, instruments, clothes, choreography and music
- Samba de Roda: origin, characteristics, dance and music
