{"id":482,"date":"2015-06-28T07:37:58","date_gmt":"2015-06-28T12:37:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.meredithwwatts.com\/MWBrazilBlog\/?p=482"},"modified":"2019-07-29T16:49:11","modified_gmt":"2019-07-29T21:49:11","slug":"bumba-meu-boi-de-floresta-the-dance-of-the-indios-and-preparing-costumes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.meredithwwatts.com\/MWBrazilBlog\/?p=482","title":{"rendered":"Bumba-meu-Boi de Floresta: Dance of the indios\/tapuias, preparing costumes"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Study Abroad students spent much of two consecutive days with members of BmB da Floresta<\/em>.\u00a0 They received instruction in Tambor da Crioula<\/em>, costume preparation and the embroidery techniques used by the group, and learned the basic floor movements of the dance of the indios. <\/em>\u00a0The indio<\/em>s represent the indigenous people of Maranhao and are traditionally called\u00a0tapuias.<\/em>\u00a0 Formerly danced only by men, women now dance as well.\n

Of the performative elements of the\u00a0Baixada style, the indios\/tapuias <\/em>(both male and female)\u00a0<\/em>are usually the younger and most\u00a0vigorous dancers.<\/p>\n

Younger teenagers begin with\u00a0simple version of the basic steps and eventually move up to the\u00a0exotic costumes and steps of the more seasoned dancers.\u00a0 The leaders of the indios<\/em> are typically between their twenties and forties.<\/p>\n

\"IMG_2062_DxO\"<\/a>
One of the seasoned indio\/tapuia<\/em> dancers in a stylized cacice<\/em> (chieftain) headdress. This status is only reached after several seasons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"IMG_2216_DxO\"<\/a>
Male indio or tapuia (left center) with female tapuia (barely visible, far left) and three Cazumba figures. Cazumbas represent various mystical entities and accompany the indios in the dance. The indigenous and forest symbolism is mixed with decorations on the headdress representing the crown of the Holy Ghost in the Catholic tradition.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

UW-Milwaukee students worked with members of BmB da Floresta<\/em> to lean the basic steps.\u00a0 First, the steps learned by the young girls and boys, then some variations for the more advanced tapuia<\/em> dancers.<\/p>\n

\"IMG_8353_DxO\"<\/a>
First steps being taught UWM students by Talyene Melonio<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"IMG_8324_DxO\"<\/a>
Talyene, demonstrating more advanced steps and introducing the spear (showing here how NOT to extend it to the rear, spearing another dancer).\u00a0UWM students Mindy, Armando and Caelen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

In the following video, UW-Milwaukee Study Abroad students are instructed by Talyene Melonio and Nadir Cruz.<\/p>\n