Sugar Cane
Why Do Capoeira Songs Mention Sugar Cane Cutting? Let's Dive Into History
Ever wondered why Capoeira songs often talk about cutting sugar cane? Here's the story:
Capoeira, the Brazilian martial art that combines dance, music, and acrobatics, has deep roots in the history of slavery in Brazil. Many of the songs we sing today echo the lives of enslaved Africans who worked on sugarcane plantations.
The Sugarcane Plantation System:
🌾 Agricultural Sector: This included vast sugarcane fields where enslaved people toiled under brutal conditions.
🏭 Processing Sector: The sugar mill was the heart of the plantation, where sugarcane was turned into sugar and brandy. The process involved grinding the cane to extract juice, boiling and purifying the juice, and drying and sorting the sugar for export to Europe.
🏡 Life on the Plantation: The plantation had several key structures:
- The main house for the owner and his family.
- The slave quarters where enslaved people lived in harsh conditions.
- A chapel for religious activities.
- The mill house where the processing of sugar took place.
Economic Exploitation:
Landowners often leased parts of their fields to smaller farmers, who had to grind their cane at the owner's mill and pay hefty portions of their production as rent. This system ensured the landowner's continuous profit while maintaining the exploitation of labour.
The Harsh Reality:
Enslaved people worked from dawn till dusk, facing severe punishment and deprivation. The cultivation of food crops was often neglected, leading to food shortages for the enslaved population, while the plantation owners imported their provisions from Europe.
Cultural Resilience:
Despite the brutality, enslaved Africans preserved their cultural heritage through music, dance, and martial arts. Capoeira was born as a form of resistance and a way to maintain a sense of identity and community.
Capoeira Songs - A Tribute to the Past:
One of the songs that reflect this history is "Trabalha negro escravo, corta cana no canavial." The lyrics tell the story of an enslaved person forced to work in the sugarcane fields, remembering a lost family and freedom and finding solace in their cultural roots and the blessings of their ancestors.
Song Lyrics and Translation:
Portuguese:
Trabalha negro escravo, corta cana no canavial.
O corta cana, corta cana, corta cana, nego velho,
corta cana no canavial
O corta cana, corta cana, corta cana, nego velho,
corta cana no canavial
Eu tive pai, eu tive mãe eu tive filha, mas perdi toda a família, a liberdade e o amor,
E hoje em dia eu só tenho dor e calo, trabalhando no embalo, do chicote do feitor.
O corta cana, corta cana, corta cana, nego velho,
corta cana no canavial
Eu já fui Rei, a minha mulher foi Rainha, pela mata eu ia e vinha, livre como animal,
Mas hoje em dia, sou como um bicho acuado, trabalhando acorrentado, preso no canavial
O corta cana, corta cana, corta cana, nego velho,
corta cana no canavial
A alma negra nunca foi escravizada, correu menina levada, brincado no céu de lá,
Roubaram o Sol, roubaram a noite e meu dia, só não roubaram a poesia que eu trago no meu cantar.
O corta cana, corta cana, corta cana, nego velho,
corta cana no canavial
Eu sou guerreiro tenho fé e tenho crença, porque me firmo na benção, que ganhei dos orixás,
Sou cana forte, sou memé cana caiana, minha doçura de cana, é ruim de me derrubar
O corta cana, corta cana, corta cana, nego velho,
corta cana no canavial
O nego velho corta cana, corta cana, corta cana, no canavial, nego velho
English Translation:
Work, black slave, cut cane in the cane field.
Oh, cut cane, cut cane, cut cane, old black man,
Cut cane in the cane field.
Oh, cut cane, cut cane, cut cane, old black man,
Cut cane in the cane field.
I had a father, I had a mother, I had a daughter, but I lost my whole family, freedom, and love,
And nowadays, I only have pain and calluses, working to the rhythm of the overseer's whip.
Oh, cut cane, cut cane, cut cane, old black man,
Cut cane in the cane field.
I was once a King, my wife was a Queen, through the forest I went and came, free as an animal,
But nowadays, I'm like a cornered beast, working chained, imprisoned in the cane field.
Oh, cut cane, cut cane, cut cane, old black man,
Cut cane in the cane field.
The black soul was never enslaved. It ran like a mischievous girl, playing in the sky over there,
They stole the Sun, stole the night and my day, but they didn't steal the poetry I carry in my song.
Oh, cut cane, cut cane, cut cane, old black man,
Cut cane in the cane field.
I am a warrior. I have faith and belief because I stand firm in the blessing that I received from the orixás,
I am strong cane, I am memé cane caiana, my sweetness of cane, is hard to bring down.
Oh, cut cane, cut cane, cut cane, old black man,
Cut cane in the cane field.
The old black man cuts cane, cuts cane, cuts cane, in the cane field, old black man.
🌍 Learn More:
To understand more about the connection between sugarcane cutting, slavery, and Capoeira, explore these resources:
- History of Sugarcane and Slavery in Brazil
- African Cultural Heritage and Resistance
Capoeira is not just a martial art; it's a powerful reminder of resilience and the enduring spirit of those who fought for their freedom. Next time you hear a Capoeira song, remember the history and the stories it carries. ✊🏾🎶