Bumba Meu Boi, Baixada & Orquestra: Same Difference

This presentation follows a short visit to Brazil, through the program Dance 497: Popular Dances and Music in the Northeast of Brazil of the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. Through this course, I was able to submerge myself in the country’s culture for a total of 21 days in June of 2015. As part of the course, I was able to observe and conduct research on the Brazilian folk dance known as Bumba-Meu-Boi. Accomplishing this by primarily observing two out of the five different sotaques (styles) of the festival, principally focusing in the sotaques of Baixada and Orquestra. This folk dance is an essential cultural component that is practiced all across the country. However, I focused my attention in the versions of the dance that is practiced in the Northeastern section of Brazil, specifically in the state of Maranhão. While abroad I had the opportunity to conduct some research on this art form in order to identify the contrasts between one of the older styles of the art such as Baixada, which tends to be a more traditional sotaque of the dance. Then compare it to the newer more innovative styles of the festival, among which one of the most recognizable styles is the Orquestra sotaque. Doing this by observing the differences between the two sotaques with respect to costumes, choreography and production values. After conducting the research, I was able to identify the key distinctions amongst said styles of the art. The primary difference between the two, is the fact that Baixada is more deeply rooted to the origins. While on the other hand Orquestra is a modernized version of the art, by having the participation of more European instruments, as well as the attention to production values. With addition to a clear difference in choreography and production, being that Baixada sotaque has kept the same dance structure and steps since its origins, as well as focusing most of their attention of the dance to a character represented as an embroidered ox. Meanwhile, the Orquestra sotaque demonstrated higher production values by having advanced choreographies, as well as an emphasis to its female characters. Demonstrating this by dressing them in skimpier costumes, giving them shorter petticoats, and adorning their bodies with feathers. As well as dressing the other characters with more elaborated costumes, which were also maintained in complete color synchrony. Lastly, I was also able to identify key distinctions within the mentality of the participants of the two styles. Having the majority of the participants of Baixada view this tradition as a necessity for culture, as well as viewing their group as a big family in which they all serve a specific role. I then compared them to the specific results of the Orquestra participants, of which the people I interviewed saw this dance as a form of exercise, something to do for fun, or even a good way to meet a partner