Historical Aspects of Festivals and Festivities of Forró in Brazil

Abstract

This article presents a historical approach about the transformations of forró festivals and festivities in Brazil, considering their different contexts, localities, regions and their variations of musical styles impacted by the influences of the Phonographic Industry and the media. A brief overview of the history of forró will be made, considering its emergence, originated in parties and manifestations of popular culture in the Northeast, especially in the June festivals (St. Anthony, St. John and St. Peter's), through the propagation of forró parties around Brazil, through the work of Luiz Gonzaga and other artists, between the 1960s and 1980s, pleasing mainly northeastern migrants who sought to revive their memories, identities and imaginaries. It also will be presented the different developments and emergences of styles of forró (pé de serra, universitário and eletrônico) that impacted its identity, festivities, event formats, sociability, symbolic perspectives, ways of dancing and other festive characteristics.