Matthias Röhrig Assunção

Elite Politics and Popular Rebellion in the Construction of Post-colonial Order. The case of Maranhão, Brazil (1820–41)

This article seeks to explain the breakdown of post-colonial order in the northern Brazilian province of Maranhao that culminated in the Balaiada rebellion (1838–41). Interpretations usually do not take into account the intense political agitation of the previous decades, which already involved lower class participation, and they fail to recognise the major socio-economic differences between the areas touched by the revolt. The main arguments are, first, that the struggle for Independence in Maranhao, more violent than in most other provinces, opened the door to lower class involvement in politics under liberal leadership. Secondly, the struggle between local elites for regional power led to exclusion of peripheral elites within the province and fuelled lower class unrest. Significant moments of rupture between liberal leadership and popular movement occurred as early as 1823–4 and 1831–2. Thirdly, the main structural factor leading to the 1838 outbreak of rebellion was the resistance to military recruitment by the free lower classes, which provided a unifying slogan to otherwise heterogeneous groups of peasants, cowboys, and fishermen. Fourthly, the differences in social structure between the cattle producing South, the cotton plantation belt of the Itapecuru valley and the strong subsistence sector in Eastern Maranhao account for substantial differences in terms of support and leadership during the Balaiada. Whilst fazendeiros lead the struggle in Southern Maranhao, as well as in most of the neighbouring Piaui province, leadership in Eastern Maranhao was almost entirely of lower class origin. Finally, the dynamics of the movement could lead in Eastern Maranhao to a rupture with elite liberalism and envisage the alliance between free rebels and maroons.

Ringue ou academia? A emergência dos estilos modernos da capoeira e seu contexto global

The emergence of the modern styles of capoeira should be considered in the global context of the modernization of martial arts currently in progress in Europe and Asia on the one hand, and the new phase of Afro-descendant modernity on the other. The confrontation between the capoeira, jiu-jitsu and other martial arts circles led mestre Bimba to develop his regional Bahian fighting style. The revival of traditional capoeira as Angolan capoeira led by mestre Pastinha is part of the broader movement of affirmation of Afro-Bahian culture in Salvador and the growing visibility of the Afro-descendant body in the Atlantic world.The emergence of the modern styles of capoeira should be considered in the global context of the modernization of martial arts currently in progress in Europe and Asia on the one hand, and the new phase of Afro-descendant modernity on the other. The confrontation between the capoeira, jiu-jitsu and other martial arts circles led mestre Bimba to develop his regional Bahian fighting style. The revival of traditional capoeira as Angolan capoeira led by mestre Pastinha is part of the broader movement of affirmation of Afro-Bahian culture in Salvador and the growing visibility of the Afro-descendant body in the Atlantic world.

History and Memory in Capoeira Lyrics from Bahia, Brazil

Over the last years, British television has shown clips of capoeira almost daily. One of the “idents” used by the British Broadcasting Corporation to advertise multiethnic “Cool Britannia” features capoeira, and is usually broadcast at prime time just before the ten o’clock news. This is just one example of how globalized capoeira has become, and it also demonstrates how much young Brazilians from modest backgrounds and with no formal education can achieve through capoeira. Yet capoeira’s very success also entails the danger that the art might become just another commodity marketed by global capitalism. Capoeira is not just a different type of aerobics or flashy acrobatics accompanied by exotic music. It is a multilayered art form of amazing cultural density, with its own worldview and a history closely linked to that of the African Diaspora. The lyrics are central to the capoeira game to stimulate players or to comment on their performance and are thus worth an analysis on their own.