Afro, Sambas, and Brazilianness

The Resistance that Forged a National Identity

Abstract

This article takes the album Os Afro-Sambas, by Baden Powell and Vinícius de Moraes, released in 1966, as a starting point to investigate the contributions of African culture to Brazilian identity, analyzing the relationship between samba, football, and Umbanda through the lens of the profound social transformations that occurred in the first half of the 20th century. Culture is understood as a front of struggle for democracy and inclusion, in a context where elites sought to construct a national identity, while marginalized populations resisted and affirmed themselves through their artistic and religious expressions. To achieve these objectives, this work engages with a series of authors, such as Rachel Soihet, Elizabeth Travassos, Lira Neto, Chris McGowan, and Ricardo Pessanha, bringing arguments that support the development of the debate and shed light on the African roots of the national sentiment. The article also highlights how cultural appropriation by elites, though contradictory, allowed elements of Black culture to become central to the construction of Brazilianness, showcasing the resistance and persistence of African influences in shaping the country.