Music, agency and strength in Terecô in Codó (Maranhão)

Abstract

The text discusses the music in Terecô in the city of Codó, from an ethnographic research. Terecô is an Afro-Brazilian religion in which enchanted spirits are received and which is organized in tents. The tents hold festivities where ritual music plays a fundamental role. In the article we describe these rituals, emphasizing the music played, the techniques used by the musicians, and the role played by creativity and improvisation. We consider music to think about the agency of the encantados and also the relationship between people and entities. We conclude on the importance of music and musicians for the maintenance and modulation of force, a central element of the religion.