A family preserves traditional coco de roda dance in Brazil

Mestra Josenaide and her family maintain the century-old tradition of coco de roda, a folk dance, in Lucena, a city in the northern coast of Paraíba, Brazil.

Josenaide and her sister Josiane took over the practice in 2008 following the death of their father, Mestre Basto. They formed the group Coco de Roda Mestre Basto to keep the family legacy alive, which dates back four generations to Josenaide's grandfather. The group currently consists of 20 dancers and musicians.

Josenaide and her son, Cristiano, lead the group in singing and responding to musical cues. They also teach children to ensure the next generation learns the steps and music. The family performs at local festivities, such as the Festa da Guia, and holds rehearsals in front of their homes. Josenaide and Cristiano now bring this cultural education into public schools. They provide lectures and performances for students who may not know their local traditions.

While the group previously struggled to access public funding, they have recently received support from the local government and the Lei Aldir Blanc. The group is organizing the first Mestrança Festival to combine cultural performances with tourism and workshops.