'VIVA BAHIA GROUP'


The spontaneity and authenticity of
Brazil folk music comes to us through
the Viva Bahia folklore group. Their
dances include "Candomble"
re-enacting the rituals of the religion
brought to Brazil by the African Negro
slaves, and "Capoeira" a manner of
fighting which is now practiced as a
dance with participants somersaulting,
leaping and kicking to the sound of
music.

The group was founded in 1963
with the purpose of increasing interest
in the Brazilian folk culture. The ten
performers have been chosen from
dancers, singers and musicians, all of
them very much concerned with
research on folk and religious Brazilian
music of African origin.

The performances of the group are
based on research by its Director,
Emilia Biancardi, author of two books
on folklore, and ap expert on more
than forty patterns of popular culture.