Slavery and The Tropicalia Movement in Brazil - 1025 Words

Starting in 1538, nearly four million Africans were taken from Ghana, Nigeria, Angola, Congo and Mozambique to be forced into slavery in Brazil’s sugar plantations and mining industries. The slave trade was eradicated in 1850, and by 1871 the Brazilian legislature passed the Law of the Free Womb. This law was designed to grant freedom to slave’s newborn children and served as a precursor to the abolition of slavery in 1888. They made home for themselves in Brazil, as it had the largest amount of African diaspora. Former slaves and their descendants established an Afro Brazilian culture and the cultural traditions, notably musical, brought along with them inevitably mingled with those of Brazil. They brought new rhythmic complexities and melodic patterns with them, and were recognized for using music as way of bringing people together through communal participation. Their musical traditions have maintained very well preserved and were legitimate contributions to Brazilâ €™s culture. Afro Brazilian influences became fundamental components for a new generation of musicians in Brazil, and pride in their African roots flourished for the first time. On a typical evening in Brazil, an overabundance of vibrant rhythms and people on every corner are embellished in eccentric fashion filled the streets. Percussion beats, bells, trumpets, whistles and other instruments sound through the streets as people dance or play along. Music is a defining factor of identity in Brazilian culture.