MuchWorldMusic: EXPLORING SOUND CULTURES -- BRAZIL EDITION

(1 hour)
Produced: 1998

This video presents us with many aspects of the issues of poor youth in Brazil, especially the problems associated with drugs and violence. We also experience the panorama of musical styles played in many regions of Brazil. There is no voice-over narration, but some flowing titles provide background information and explanation. For the most part, the youth, musical artists and social workers speak for themselves. Human rights are an underlying, ongoing theme in the video, and government oppression of and sanctioned violence against the poor is lightly referenced. More information and background on Brazilian music and these issues can be found by using an internet search engine and the search terms: Brazil, music, culture.

The discussion and activities suggested below are intended to help students understand the role of music in the culture of Brazil, make comparisons to the roles of music in their own lives, and appreciate the qualities of Brazilian music. The ideas appear in the same chronological order as they occur in the program. Teachers are welcome to select and modify the ideas to best suit the needs of their students and the time for study.

1. Legalization of Marijuana
Legalize Ja
Planet Hemp
Is Legalize Ja Hip Hop? Are there Hip Hop influences in the music? What other musical influences do you recognize in the music? What musical influences don't you recognize? What influences do you recognize in the style of the video? Can you conclude from these observations that Legalize Ja is heavily influenced by American Hop Hop videos?
Is legalization of marijuana a problem of youth or of people in a whole culture? What are the implications for youth? ...parents? ...adults? ...government? ...the economy?
Are there musical groups that advocates the legalization of marijuana in Canada? What are the reactions to their music and politics?

2. Protest Music
"Rap music is a type of protest -- the protest of a citizen of justice against a system that assaults human rights. We live under a regime called 'minimum wage.' We sing and try to change that situation by telling poor citizens that they are entitled to an education and a life with dignity. We send out the message but most times that message isn't received due to lack of education." Edson Claudio (rap artist)

What connection between education and people's power is being suggested by Edson's comments? Do you agree with this suggestion? Why or why not? What is the education level of the people in the favela (research Brazil web sites, the CIA web site, etc.)? Do more educated Canadians have more power? Explain. How do Canadians learn about their human rights? What is the education level of poor Canadians? Which Canadian musical artists are helping poor Canadians?
What story is being told by the images that bleed through the image of the rap singers?

What kind of dancing is being done during the rapping? Where have you seen this dancing before? Where can you find this dancing in Canada? [The dancing looks like the 'break dancing' that was popular in the mid-80s, but which is no longer done in Canada.] What does the current popularity of break dancing in Brazil suggest about the movement of cultural practices around the world? Would North American Hip Hop artists describe their art as Edson has, or would they suggest it is more commercial?

3. Favelas
How many people in Rio de Janiero live in the favelas (slums)? [1.5 million]
Why do they live on the slopes? [To be close to their work and be able to afford housing.]
Why are the slopes dangerous? [There is a danger of landslides in the rainy season.]
What is there about the favelas that make them look like poor neighbourhoods?
Do the poor neighbourhoods in Canadian cities look the same?
How are the favelas different from Canadian slums?
How many tires are discarded in Rio each year? [three million]
How are the tires recycled? [Used to build retaining walls.]
How many tires are discarded in Canada each year? [research this fact]
How are the tires recycled in Canada? [research]

4. Madelena Gilbert Girl
Find someone who understands Portuguese and ask them what the lyrics of Madelena are saying.
How does the music of Madelena make you feel? Explain.
How would you describe the musical style?
Where can you hear music like this in Canada?
Would this song be popular in Canada? Why or why not?

5. Sepultura
We see two part videos by Sepultura: Ratamahatta and Roots. Are these videos typical of Heavy Metal videos you have seen? How are they different? Edson explained that rap music was music of protest. Is Sepultura using its Heavy Metal music as protest music? Do you think that Heavy Metal music is usually music of protest? Why or why not? Discuss.

Suffering
should
be
creative
should give
birth
to something
good
and lovely
- Chinoa Acbebe

How do the issues and images you have learned about in this program provide a deeper meaning for Chinoa Acbebe's poem? Who have you seen here who is using their suffering to 'give birth to something lovely?' Explain.

6. Renewable Resources
Peter (an aid worker) describes a management plan for the wildflowers of the Amazonias. What is that plan? [To use the harvest of wildflowers as a way to provide an income for the natives and to avoid future crises by not over harvesting.] How does the plan provide for a sustainable resource? Do Canadians have renewable resources? [Consider the forests, Great Lakes, East Coast Cod and West Coast Salmon] How are Canadians managing their renewable resources so that they will be sustainable resources? How can Canadian management plans be improved? What plans does the government have for one or more of these resources?

7. Jorge Ben Jor's Ponta de Lanca Africano
Watch this video carefully. What impressions of Brazil is it communicating?
Is this a protest video? How can you tell? How would you describe the style of the video?
What other videos have you seen like this one?

Watch some videos produced by the National Film Board of Canada's Norman McLaren. (These are available as individual videos or as collections of videos. Recommended are A Phantasy and Narcissus. Another NFB film that you might watch is The Street) What influences from NFB movies do you see in the Ponta de Lanca Africano video? What conclusions might you come to about art and international influences? Are there any influences of the samba (Brazil's national rhythm) in other music? What about the Spice Girls' Spice Up Your Life or If You Can't Dance?

8. Timbalada
Timbalada, Bahia's most important percussion group, was created by Carlinhos Brown to give the poorest street children the chance to learn music. What does Timbalada mean? [Dance of the drums.]
What social benefits have occurred from the Timbalada efforts? [Pride and an awareness of the beauty of music.] Which Canadian musical artists have given lesser-known peoples a voice and pride? Groups from Newfoundland? ...Cape Breton? ...Quebec? ...Spencer?

"Music is not an escape. Music is an interference in all planetary areas. She has a role for politics, for education, for partying including at the time of death it is necessary to have music. Up until now, music is necessary because it continues to be a celebration of all human life."
-Carlinhos Brown

Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?
Find someone who understands Portuguese and learn the lyrics of Carlinhos Brown's videos. Do they fulfill the functions of music he has described? How?

9. Vigario Geral (Hills of the Singing Rooster) Rio
The youth of two favelas previously involved in drug wars come together to learn Brazil's martial art, Capoeira.
Do you see any women learning Capoeira? Why do you think they are not present? Do males only fight drug wars? Why? Is it a good idea to teach potential rivals martial arts? Why?
What are the positive qualities of Capoeira? Could Capoeira become popular in Canada? Why?

10. Sexism in Brazilian Culture
Two female artists are asked about the sexism that occurs in Brazil. Marcia Freire explains that even though women's bare breasts are displayed on Brazilian TV, Brazil is a very chauvinist country. Is it a contradiction that bare-breasted women are on TV in a chauvinist country, or are bare breasts part of the chauvinist attitude? Would the breasts she is referring to be the breasts of the average women, or special breasts? Explain. Are women's breasts displayed on Canadian TV? Why? Does this mean that Canada is less chauvinist than Brazil? Explain.

11. Working with Favela Youth
We see the efforts of several people to bring music and martial arts to children of the slums. What benefits do these children enjoy from the efforts of the social workers and musicians? How do you think the experiences will influence their lives? Do you think Canadian tax dollars are well spent supporting these efforts? Would you donate money to these programs? Why or why not?

12. Canadian Investments
Research to find out how much Canadian money is being spent on social programs in Brazil. Your Member of Parliament will be able to help. You may also find information on Federal government web sites. Do you approve of these expenses? Let your MP know how you feel.

13. Music in Our Lives
Summarize the role that music plays in the lives of Brazilian youth. How does the role of music in Brazil compare to the role of music in Canada? How do the music you listen to and the videos you watch improve your life? 

Written by: Neil Andersen
Neil Andersen is an award-winning Curriculum Consultant with the Toronto District School Board. He is also a speaker and consultant in media and communications technology. His most recent work includes the Between the Lines CDs, the teachers' study guide for the award-winning Scanning Television, and study guides for Space, Bravo! and MuchMusic's Cable in the Classroom broadcasts of original media literacy programming.

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