Field Notes on Current Research in Brazil and Elsewhere
Maranhao mask maker: Abel Texeira
Abel Texeira is a master mask-maker whose work is known all over Maranhao and seen in many groups of the Baixada tradition (the region where he lived before migrating to Sao Luis).
His health is failing now and he is not as active creatively, but his wife is still working in his signature style.
His work have been exhibited in the Afro-Brazilian Museum of Sao Paulo and in various art and folklore galleries throughout Brazil. He is also featured in various books of folklore culture, and his work continues to be danced everywhere in the region.
The masks are the face covering of somewhat mysterious creatures in the Baixada tradition known as cazumbas. They are distinctive to this style of Bumba-meu-boi and found among Baixada groups throughout the region.
Abel and Simone. We have been visiting them for several years now. He was quite weak from diabetes and heart problems, but he managed to get up to see us. He remembered the Milwaukee Brewers shirt we once took him and put it on to greet us.
Abel’s classic mask style, now created by his wife Marie shown here (with grandchild)
Abel Texeira and grandchildren, bairro of Coroadinha, city of Sao Luis
One of Abel’s grandchildren
Street in the bairro of Coroadinha, one of the most underserved and troubled neighborhoods in the city
Abel Texeira with his signature personal mask that he wore during his years as an active brincante (performer) in the Baixada group Bumba-meu-boi da Floresta. Unlike his later style of cloth masks, this mask from the 1970s is made of wood. Dancing all night in this heavy mask and Cazumba costume is a challenge on hot Sao Luis nights. He wore it for what he thinks will be the last time about two years ago when he dressed and masked so I could photograph him.
