On August 22nd, we remember some of the legends that are part of Brazilian imagination and culture, such as Saci-Pererê, Mula-Sem-Cabeça, Iara, and Boitatá.
There are many books that tell the tales of our folklore and more recently our mythology was the starting point for the series The Hidden City is available on Netflix.
But did you know that some songs also refer to Brazilian ballads?
We detail six works from the National Songbook, which speak in some way about the creatures of our folklore. Listen below!
6 songs about Brazilian folklore
“Mad Eagle”
The song “Urubu Malandro” was composed by Braguinha in 1914 based on a folkloric theme from the northern region of Rio de Janeiro. The song has been adopted by Flamengo, as the team’s mascot is an eagle.
“kurubera”
Do you know legend Kurupira? It is about the man with the fiery hair and the backward feet who protects the forests from those who would like to clear the forests. In 1936 this character was honored in a song bearing his name composed by Waldemar Henrique.
“My lemon, my lemon tree”
This song is very famous, and you must have heard it all around you. There are many mysteries and conversations about the composition of this song, as it is said that it was imported from Europe.
However, in 1937, on the disc containing recordings by Jorge Fernández and Silvio Caldas, it was written “Folklore collected in Bahia by Cardoso de Menezes and Francisco Pereira”.
“The Legend of Apeti”
Dorival Cayme came out in 1948. It has a dark, dark beach song vibe, but little by little it lights up and tells this story.
“role”
This song is very famous and is one of the trademarks of Secos e Molhados. The lyrics mix some superstition with traces of Brazilian folklore, quoting Sassy, for example. However, in the chorus, the werewolf legend comes to the fore.
Mattita Peri
This classic by Tom Jobim and Paulo César Pinheiro tells the fear of Matinta Pereira, a well-known character from Brazilian Folklore in the north of the country. She is an old witch who transforms into a bird.
Eleanor Fairchild is a contributor at Mediarunsearch.co.uk, covering a wide range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. She focuses on delivering clear, balanced reporting and useful information that helps readers stay informed about current events and developments. Her work highlights stories that matter to everyday audiences, presenting complex issues in an accessible and engaging way while maintaining a strong commitment to accuracy and relevance.