Wed 05 Jun 19:00 – Círculo Workshop Traditional Drumming and Chanting

CÍRCULO - Decolonial resistance, priestessing, chanting and women’s drumming

Tulipa’s Society Amsterdam and Teatro Munganga open their doors for a series of traditional singing and drumming workshops, enriched by events of sharing knowledge on Brazilian Candomblé and the tradition of priestesses.

Workshop Traditional Drumming and Chanting
Dates: 05, 12, 19, 26 June, 01 and 03 July (six meetings)
19h - 21h

We will practice Caixa do Divino* which is the only drumming tradition exclusively led by women in Brazil and exists in the context of Candomblé Houses and Maroon Communities as part of the celebrations of the Orixá Oxalá, an ancient force of nature. The priestesses, Caixeiras, sing and praise the prophecy that The Earth will know one hundred years of peace, under the rule of children.  In the last week we will also practice Jongo, a chanting and drumming form demanding freedom for people under enslavement. 

The workshop will be given by Mameto Kaloyá, a non-binary queer Roma diasporic descendent born within the context of Candomblé (Maroon communities and houses) who holds the title of Egbomi (poorly translated as young priestess) in the traditional community and Candomblé House of Redandá (Cipó-Guaçu- Brazil). Kaloyá has been, since an early age, inheriting multiple drumming and chanting practices from elders, and has learned from  Caixeiras of the Fanti Ashanti House how to play and sing the “Caixa do Divino”. They are a long-time participant in the Festa do Divino held by Associação Cachuera!. Kaloyá will be joined by Marcela Varconte, black maroon descendant, researcher and chanter of the tradition of Jongo and part of Grupo Cachuera! The two apprenticed together under Master Daniel Reverendo. 

*Caixa do Divino chantings are slow and steady litanies accompanied by drumming. You will be encouraged to learn how to play and sing simultaneously. Chanting happens in Brazilian Portuguese, with words and concepts from Brazilian creole dialects influenced by Yorubá, Kimbundo, and native languages spoken in Candomblé houses and native communities.

• Donation: 10 euros per workshop. Exceptions/reductions possible - please get in touch

• Language: The workshop is held in Brazilian and English, but chantings are in popular Brazilian Language

• No attendance requirements: you can join how many meetings you can/want . 

• People identifying as male are welcome to watch the workshop but can’t chant/play the drums.

Info: https://circulo-amsterdam.tumblr.com/

Tickets: https://munganga.nl/

The events are sponsored by Spark Fund Mama Cash, which supports women, girls, and trans and intersex people in their fight for their rights, and AFK - Amsterdam Fund for the Arts.

Please note: the series is centered on non-European immigrant women, and non-binary people, but everyone is welcome to join the events and support the community.
If you are ever in doubt if this space is for you or how to participate, feel free to contact us!

Contact: dimarco.thais@gmail.com and joana.faggin@gmail.com