Maracatu

Maracatu is the Afro-Brazilian processional tradition of Pernambuco, in which a cortejo of king, queen and court parades through the streets to the thunder of alfaia drums. Two historic forms dominate: maracatu nação, or baque virado, the oldest documented Afro-Brazilian carnival practice, rooted in the coronation of Congo kings under slavery; and maracatu rural, or baque solto, the faster, improvisational form of the Zona da Mata. Led by nações such as *Leão Coroado*, founded in 1863, and *Cambinda Estrela*, its rhythms later powered the manguebeat movement of *Chico Science & Nação Zumbi*.