LAMENTO DE RAÇA

[Bill Stark]

Oi Gente

I'm puzzling over the meaning of the lyrics of LAMENTO DE RAÇA (which I
heard on David Heymann's SPIRIT OF BRAZIL podcast - by the way, the latest
is really good). OK, I get its a plea to stop the destruction of the
Amazon, with a listing of some of the animals to be lost. But two things,
having to do with the use of "brincar." I guess it usually meaning play or
joke. But the line:
Eu vou convidar a minha tribo, Pra brincar no Garantido

puzzles me.

Also, "Garantido," I gather is the name of an ox in the bumba do boi world.
What's that all about? Like in the words:

Vamos brincar de boi, tá Garantido, Matar a mata, não é permitido

How does prohibiting the killing of the forest relate to playing with the
ox?

I'm guessing that there is a mix of literal meaning and folkloric reference,
but I'm lacking the background to figure out the folkloric reference.

Thanks

Bill

[David]

Hi Bill,
Caprichoso and Garantido are the two boi "teams" who participate at
the Parintins festival in June of each year. It's vaguely similar to
the samba schools at the Rio carnival. Caprichoso, represented by the
colour blue was founded in 1913; Caprichoso, red, founded in 1914.
They've been competing since the 60s. The presence of the boi-figure
originally came from Maranhao and in the original folk festivals the
locals probably re-enacted the story of the pregnant woman who wanted
to eat ox-tongue, her husband kills the most beautiful ox in the
region; he's imprisoned and with the help of a witch-doctor eventually
brings the ox back to life. And everyone celebrates!

Nowadays each team presents their own theme at the festival, which is
usually based on local legends or on contemporary topics. The general
idea is that of protecting the local forest and local traditions.The
presence of the boi-figure probably evokes rebirth, starting again.
So the lyrics are something like:

Eu vou convidar a minha tribo, Pra brincar no Garantido

I'll invite my tribe to perform with Garantido

Vamos brincar de boi, tá Garantido, Matar a mata, não é permitido

Let's be the bull, OK Garantido. Destroying the forest is forbidden.

Various CDs have been released by artists such as Arlindo Jr, Grupo
Vermelho e Branco, Carrapicho, David Assayag, Tony Medeiros. The songs
are usually referred to as toadas.

Because of the colours of the teams - red and blue, Coca Cola also
release their product with a blue logo to keep everyone happy!

On Jul 9, 12:30 am, "Bill Stark" <b...@WKStark.com> wrote:Oi Gente

I'm puzzling over the meaning of the lyrics of LAMENTO DE RAÇA (which
I heard on David Heymann's SPIRIT OF BRAZIL podcast - by the way, the
latest is really good). OK, I get its a plea to stop the destruction
of the Amazon, with a listing of some of the animals to be lost. But
two things, having to do with the use of "brincar." I guess it
usually meaning play or joke. But the line:
Eu vou convidar a minha tribo, Pra brincar no Garantido puzzles me.
Also, "Garantido," I gather is the name of an ox in the bumba do boi

world.What's that all about? Like in the words: Vamos brincar de boi,
tá Garantido, Matar a mata, não é permitido. How does prohibiting the

[Bill Stark]

Thanks so much. It makes more sense now.

Bill
"David" <RN14....@gmail.com> wrote in message
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