Maracutu is a traditional rhythm of the north east of Brazil. In the centre of the Brasilian Federal State Pernambuco it has developed for more than 400 years. The music orginates in the slaves’ tradition, a momento of negro culture in Brazil.
The word Maracutu is an African expression and means dance or rhythm having its roots in meetings for negro dancings socalled “congadas”, a ceremony to elect and crown negro kings and queens. Fellows of the Afro-Brasilian religions are dancing in the streets to honour their ancestors. Kings, queens, princesses, dames of the Passos and drummers meet dancing and beating the rhythm.
In the performances queen, king, umbrella man and attendents are played by children dancing to the rhythm beaten mainly by boys with their drums or cow bells.
