Abstract
Based on a field research conducted in the State of Maranhão (Brazil), we consider aspects of empowerment prompted by a traditional female leadership existent in several cities of that state. This headship was established in the context of the celebrations in honor of Holy Spirit and provides material which raise interesting questions, such as: Has the female leadership empowered women who play during this festivity? How do the women who participate evaluate their own role within the overall context of the ceremony? Did their headship contribute to undermining racial, social, and gender prejudices? Although our object of study belongs to the field of cultural studies, encompassing both performative and representational aspects of this widely spread Brazilian manifestation, in order to exemplify empowerment, these questions will be addressed having as a case study a group of women called Caixeiras do Divino [The Holy Spirit’s Drumers], who are the responsible for the general organization of the ceremony.
Highlights
This text addresses some current understandings regarding empowerment (Zimmerman 2000; Christens 2012; Akchurin and Lee 2013; Chomba et al 2015) in relation to gender and music
Our object of study belongs to the field of cultural studies, encompassing both performative and representational aspects of a widely spread Brazilian manifestation, called Festejos do Divino Espírito Santo, The Holy Spirit
The state of religious intolerance explains the hesitancy of people in admitting their belonging to Africanroots religions. This fact is worthy of note given that many of the Holy Spirit festivities are celebrated in African-religions worship-houses, and Caixeiras do Divino means the women who play on drums in this celebration, themselves belonging largely to these marginalized religions
Summary
This text addresses some current understandings regarding empowerment (Zimmerman 2000; Christens 2012; Akchurin and Lee 2013; Chomba et al 2015) in relation to gender and music. The fact that women have taken this role is very intriguing from the historic and gender point of view This unique female protagonism presents some historic and musical questions, such as: why did women assume the leadership of this festivity? In order to approach these questions, and to comprehend the purpose of analyzing these issues in relation to the issue of empowerment, it is necessary to have some information about the region where it happens so to apprehend the social context where the manifestation is accomplished. In view of these understandings, we will interrogate if the music has empowered the women who play in the Holy Spirit celebration and if the music was a vehicle allowing for empowering the other women who hold any kind of leadership role in this festivity
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