This city in northern Brazil is considered the cradle of the maracatu, a frenetic, rhythmic dance of African origin that infuses its unique Carnival celebration with its spirit.
During Carnival, all of Nazare de la Mata mobilizes in maracatu groups, often dressing up in colorful costumes and large headdresses. A main character is “Caboclo de Lanca,” a lance-bearer wearing a huge, embroidered cape.
The Afro-indigenous tradition dates back centuries and arose from the mixing of the faiths of slaves brought to work on the local sugar plantations with local indigenous customs. It is one of the oldest traditions in northeastern Pernambuco state, which is suffering through a Zika outbreak.
The city’s more than 20 maracatu groups spend all year preparing for the festivities. Participants go from house to house asking for food and drink, a tradition that began long ago with people traveling between the region’s sugar plantations.
On Monday, the maracatu dancers gathered in Nazare de la Mata’s main plaza, converging from across the city and surrounding rural areas.
“We need to be prepared for these days of presentation and partying in the carnival,” said Jose Esteves, 63, a veteran lance-bearer.
Before dancing he says a prayer to the figure of “Padre Cicero,” a figure venerated here as a saint but not recognized as one by the Roman Catholic Church.
“The maracatu is a very serious thing, it forms a part of our lives,” he said.
In this Feb. 2, 2016 photo, Jose Esteves, 63, stands next to his statue of “Padre Cicero” as he prepares spiritually for Carnival celebrations inside his home in Nazare da Mata, Brazil. Padre Cicero is venerated here as a saint but not recognized as one by the Roman Catholic Church. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
In this Feb. 2, 2016 photo, Jose Esteves, 63, holds his statue of “Padre Cicero” as he prepares spiritually for Carnival celebrations inside his home in Nazare da Mata, Brazil. Padre Cicero is venerated here as a saint but not recognized as one by the Roman Catholic Church. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
In this Feb. 7, 2016 photo, costumed members of a “Maracatu” group walk through sugar cane fields toward town for Carnival celebrations in Nazare da Mata, Brazil. Participants go from house to house asking for food and drink, a tradition that began long ago with people traveling between the region’s sugar plantations. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
In this Feb. 2, 2016 photo, Jose Esteves, a “Caboclo de Lanca,” or lance-bearer, wears his costume before performing at the Maracatu Carnival in Nazare da Mata, Brazil. This city in northern Brazil is considered the cradle of the maracatu, a frenetic, rhythmic dance of African origin that infuses its unique Carnival celebration with its spirit. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
In this Feb. 7, 2016 photo, “Caboclo de Lanca,” or lance-bearers, Nego Benvindo, left, and Jose Esteves, walk to town for Maracatu Carnival celebrations in Nazare da Mata, Brazil. The Afro-indigenous tradition is one of the oldest in northeastern Pernambuco state. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
In this Feb. 1, 2016 photo, Ze Pequeno, holding “ruda” leaves in his mouth, prepares spiritually for Maracatu Carnival in Nazare da Mata, Brazil. The city’s more than 20 maracatu groups spend all year preparing for the festivities. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
In this Feb. 8, 2016 photo, a woman dressed up as the traditional character “Baiana” attends Maracatu Carnival celebrations in Nazare da Mata, Brazil. The Afro-indigenous tradition dates back centuries and arose from the mixing of the faiths of slaves brought to work on the local sugar plantations with local indigenous customs. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
In this Feb. 7, 2016 photo, a youth leaves his home wearing a costume as he heads to the Maracatu Carnival celebrations in Nazare da Mata, Brazil. During Carnival, all of Nazare de la Mata mobilizes in maracatu groups, dressing up in colorful costumes and large headdresses. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
In this Jan. 26, 2016 photo, a woman dressed as the “Baianas” character waits in costume for the Maracatu Carnival celebrations to start in Nazare da Mata, Brazil. Maracatu dancers gathered in the town’s main plaza, converging from across the city and surrounding rural areas. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
In this Jan. 26, 2016 photo, Antonio Esteves gets into costume for Maracatu Carnival celebrations in Nazare da Mata, Brazil. The Afro-indigenous tradition dates back centuries and arose from the mixing of the faiths of slaves brought to work on the local sugar plantations with local indigenous customs. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
In this Feb. 8, 2016 photo, people watch Maracatu dancers perform for Carnival in Nazare da Mata, Brazil. This city in northern Brazil is considered the cradle of the maracatu, a frenetic, rhythmic dance of African origin that infuses its unique Carnival celebration with its spirit. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
In this Feb. 8, 2016 photo, a person dressed as the character “Catita Daiana,” dances at Maracatu Carnival celebrations in Nazare da Mata, Brazil. The Afro-indigenous tradition dates back centuries and arose from the mixing of the faiths of slaves brought to work on the local sugar plantations with local indigenous customs. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
In this Feb. 7, 2016 photo, a person dressed as the character “Arreiama” wears a feathered headdress at the Maracatu Carnival in Nazare da Mata, Brazil. Participants go from house to house asking for food and drink, a tradition that began long ago with people traveling between the region’s sugar plantations. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
In this Feb. 7, 2016 photo, people dressed as Carnival characters, from left, “Burrinha,” “Caboclo de Lanca,” and “Mateus” parade in the streets during Maracatu Carnival celebrations in Nazare da Mata, Brazil. Maracatu dancers gather in Nazare de la Mata’s main plaza, converging from across the city and surrounding rural areas. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
In this Feb. 7, 2016 photo, a man gets help with his “Caboclo de Lanca” costume, at home ahead of Maracatu Carnival celebrations in Nazare da Mata, Brazil. The Carnival’s main character is “Caboclo de Lanca,” a lance-bearer wearing a huge, embroidered cape. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
In this Feb. 5, 2016 photo, youth play soccer near a mural featuring traditional characters from Maracatu Carnival in Nazare da Mata, Brazil. This city in northern Brazil is considered the cradle of the maracatu, a frenetic, rhythmic dance of African origin that infuses its unique Carnival celebration with its spirit. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
In this Feb. 7, 2016 photo, a woman in costume prepares for Maracatu Carnival celebrations in Nazare da Mata, Brazil. Maracatu Carnival is one of the oldest traditions in northeastern Pernambuco state. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
In this Jan. 27, 2016 photo, a girl wears a feathered headdress as she prepares for Maracatu Carnival festivities in Nazare da Mata, Brazil. The Afro-indigenous tradition dates back centuries and arose from the mixing of the faiths of slaves with local indigenous customs. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
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