The Jongo da Serrinha Cultural Group Association was created in 2000 aiming to continue the historical heritage protection of Jongo. The original social protection project was founded more then 40 years ago by Vovó Maria Joana Rezadeira and Mestre Darcy do Jongo.
The main issues that the NGO defends are the preservation and divulgation of the cultural afro-Brazilian heritage and the development of an educative project. The project also provides the opportunities of a professional capacity among children and youth suffering from violence and unemployment.
In 2001, the GCJS launched the Jongo da Serrinha Cultural Center in the Serrinha Favela, where the Jongo School project takes place. Its
political-educative project is based on the preservation and increased appreciation of local culture and heritage.
There are a variety of free classes offered to 120 students: singing,
percussion, Jongo, afro-primitive dances, Angola capoeira classes, popular culture, theatre, art classes and circus skills.
These activities focus on the conception of citizenship which aims to affect both education and practice. This happens through the validation of the cultural models in society and the empowerment of the community which leads to an improvement of self-esteem. Family ties are strengthened through the development of art activities and use of popular culture. The students can find inspiration which will encourage the use of their talents and competencies. These activities create new social and professional perspectives without being obligated to use foreign references to their own history and reality.
JONGO is a manifestation of Afro-Brazilian culture, originated in the African Banto rites and rituals, blending circle dance, music and, some Umbanda processions. Jongo has been carried out since the time of slavery in Brazil. Jongo ("amusement" in Banto, cf. Alceu Maynardi) has its origins in rural Africa, most likely in Angola. It was brought to Brazil, during the colonial time, by the slaves who came to the country to work in the plantations of coffee and sugar cane of states like Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais. In times of captivity, Jongo would be one of the rare moments of interaction among slaves, and it was practiced during the parties, holidays or just during a moment of rest after harvesting.
With the end of slavery and the economic crises in some regions of the country, the slaves managed to migrate from the plantations of Paraiba river valley to the hills of Rio de Janeiro, and began the first Jongo associations clustered in specific slums (favelas) locations of Rio de Janeiro, and in Madureira (Northern Rio), in a slum called Serrinha, the perfect environment to settle and carry on the tradition of Jongo. It did not take long to observe the influence of the accent of the ‘Carioca’ (Native of Rio de Janeiro) infused with the Jongo tradition. The manifestation of Jongo, its characteristics and core values, strongly influenced the history of samba and Popular Brazilian Music (MPB).
Jongo as it flourished in Rio de Janeiro, and more precisely, the one developed in Serrinha, is a dance usually with instruments (usually two sticks), percussion of different types, called "caxambú" and "candongueiro" encourage the participants to reach out for their spiritual enbodiments, connecting "earth and heaven". The music leads to the motion, to the dance, easing the integration of the movements whereas the song carries important historical messages that speak about the mystery of the traditions and memories of the past.
In 2005 Dreams began their support of this association with a total donation of R$ 9.500 (US$ 5,590) which will be extended in 2006.
Website:
www.jongodaserrinha.org.br
