Бразилиялық афоксэ: Африка-Бразилия мәдениеті мен карнавал дәстүрі

The term afoxé refers to a Carnival group originating from Salvador da Bahia, Brazil in the 1920s, and the music it plays deriving from the Afro Brazilian Candomblé religion. It came to indicate a musical rhythm, named ijexá derived from the ijexá nation within Candomblé. Cultural performances of the afoxés, typically at Brazilian Carnival, incorporate choreography, song, ritual language and ceremonies deriving from the Candomblé religion. In Brazil, afoxé is generally performed by blocos, afros groups of mostly black or mulatto musicians who are familiar with African Brazilian music.

The annual Carnival that takes place in several cities of Brazil is considered the country's largest public festival. Specifically, Carnival in Bahia Salvador is the birthplace of several groups from the Afro Brazilian tradition, afoxé, which relates to Afro Brazilian Carnival traditions linked to the Candomblé religion. The term "Afro" is utilised with reference to a phenomenon originating in Africa but developed in Brazil. Rather than celebrating the sacred Candomblé religion privately, the afoxé Carnival traditions are a public affirmation of the religion, which is openly displayed on the streets in a Carnival context. Carnival plays a fundamental role in defining black identities in the context of the larger society. The Brazilian cities of Recife and Salvador saw black Carnival groups powerfully and actively parading 'African' themes, which announced the development of African consciousness within the new Republic. Between the years 1905 and 1914, Carnival expressions that included African music, dancing and costumes were banned and forced out of the city's official Carnival by Bahian police. On February 5, 1921, mentions of 'African' Carnival practices were reintroduced, appearing in the Bahian newspaper, Diário de Notícias. It is considered the best known and most orthodox religion in Brazil. This is achieved through the power of song, dancing and drumming, as a central feature of worship. Music that accompanies the religious rituals of Candomblé feature a West African style of drumming. An atabaque is the name given to a conga like drum, which is closely associated with African heritage. The exclusively all male group, Filhos De Gandhi meaning Sons of Gandhi, was founded in the year 1949, the year following the assassination of the well respected Indian leader, Mahatma Gandhi. The creation of this afoxé group was inspired by Gandhi's death, who was an advocate for racial injustice in India. The anti violence and civil rights activist was transformed into a sacred Carnival icon. As a result, a group of stevedores originating from the Port of Salvador were inspired to form this Carnival group, with the intent of being symbols of peace whilst combating discrimination against Afro Brazilian peoples in the city of Salvador.

Filhos de Gandhi remains appealing to audiences as the group contains a mix of both African and Indian cultures. The African culture is apparent through dancing, music and rituals and the Indian culture is evident through the ornamental charm through its costumes. Filhos de Gandhi members are notable and distinguished for their bejewelled, exotic and extravagant costumes. During Carnival, traditionally Filhos de Gandhi men are clothed in long and white T shaped tunics, featuring the year's carnival theme, which is clearly imprinted on the front of the men's tunics in the colour blue. Each year, the design varies. The tunic displays an image of the Indian figure, Mahatma Gandhi. Filhos De Gandhi men also wear blue socks with white strappy, plastic sandals, which contain the word "Gandhy" printed on them. At the waist, the men use a blue sash to tie around their white tunics. Blue ribbons are used to tie two bows on the men's shoulders in order to pinch the fabric at the shoulder seams of the tunic. Filhos De Gandhi members receive a long piece of white cotton towel. Prior to the commencement of Carnival, several Filhos De Gandhi members have this large piece of white cotton towel converted to a custom made head turban. This removable headpiece is referred to as turbantes. Jewels and a brooch embellish the turban. The large 3 inch (in diameter) brooch is designed with blue and silver sequins, beads and gems. Brooch designs vary and allows for the men to design it to their own personal preference. A small drawstring bag typically made from cotton is held around the wrist of the men throughout the Carnival. It contains handkerchiefs and a lavender spray called Alfazema. Alfazema is included into the Filhos De Gandhi costume due to the widespread belief that lavender contains strong healing properties. Alfazema is held in a small bottle, which is sprayed by the Filhos De Gandhi men throughout the Carnival, in order to help purify, cleanse and calm the chaotic Carnival streets. Filhos De Gandhi perform this with the intent to lead the Brazilian city of Salvador to peace.

During Carnival, the formation of an afoxé is typically formed in a line. The line begins with the announcer, followed by the white guard, the King and Queen, the maracatu doll (a traditional black clothed doll representing tribal deities), the flag bearer, the guard of honour and following them is the band of percussionists including drummers, cowbells and shakers. The ijexá rhythm, containing a call and response melody is sung by a soloist and repeated by a chorus. The ijexá rhythm is danced to, using simple yet traditional steps deriving from sacred Candomblé dances. This is characterised by a ginga swing, where the movement of the shoulders and arms are quick with steps that are short and small.