 |
The Portuguese who first landed on
Brazilian soil in the 16th century began the transplantation of European
culture to Brazil. While the Portuguese were still forming small, cautious
groups to explore the unknown beaches, native Indian potters were at
work. Indigenous craftsmen were polishing ceremonial axes of flint.
Musicians and dancers decked out in fibre masks, plaited straw, and
fantastic, feather helmets were retelling the legends of the flood
and the creation.
Brazilian culture is more than the
simple result of specific contributions by European whites, African
blacks, and aboriginal Indians. Miscegenation among them has been taking
place ever since their very first contacts. These three cultures have
insinuated themselves into the way Brazilians feel and act. Today it
is difficult to trace their dividing lines. Brazilian folk arts are
among the richest and most varied in the hemisphere.
In the northeast of
Brazil, the most popular sections of the large
markets are the displays
of potters and vendors of artistic clay objects,
many of which are true sculptures.
A number of these local artisans are known not only
to Brazilian folklorists, but also to artistic
circles outside Brazil. Familiar names are Severino,
whose characteristic work is in unglazed clay, Mestre
Vitalino (Master), the most famous of the folk
potters, perhaps because he signed his
creations, and Zé Caboclo, from the town of Caruarú,
the principal centre of folk sculpture in the State
of Pernambuco. The ceramics portray complete scenes
of daily activity, induding animals
(the horse, the cock, and the Zebu bull), and religious
characters (priests and saints).
Today's potters follow traditions
laid down by Indian cultures that existed in the
Amazon region well before the arrival of the Portuguese in the 16th
century. At least
four of these cultures are noteworthy for their ceramics:
on the vast island of Marajó in the mouth of the Amazon River potters melded
vases that were later decorated with labyrinthine patterns. The last
of five archaeological periods on the island, the Marajoara, is the
most famous. In the Santarém region, Indian potters made urns
and igaçabas (funeral urns) embellished with an amazing panoply
of animals. They transtormed the fauna of the Amazon into intricate
and baroque fantasies of men and animals. The cultures of Cunani and
Maracá (in the present-day state of Pará) also produced
remarkable pottery.
|
