ENVY AND THE CLOSED BODY IN MARACATU DE BAQUE SOLTO (PERNAMBUCO, BRAZIL)

Abstract

During Carnival, the members of maracatu de baque solto groups, a performance occurring in Pernambuco (Northeast Brazil) feel exposed to various type of illnesses, caused by the “envious eye” (olho grande) of their rivals. This motivates them to accomplish a number of defensive practices, both on a symbolical and on an aesthetical dimension. In order to perform safely, they need to “close the body” (fechar o corpo), physiologically, symbolically, and aesthetically. In this context, the expression “closed body,” is synonymous of a protected, powerful, healthy, invincible body, while the expression “open body” refers to a vulnerable one, susceptible to the attacks of negative entities, aroused by the enemies’ envious eye. In this article, I suggest that that the emotional experience of the Maracatu performers is driven by this particular way of perceiving the body during the carnival period.

Keywords
Ethnomusicology; music; anthropology of emotions; ritual; carnival