Return to Transcripts main page

CNN World Report

Latin Music With African Roots

Aired April 08, 2001 - 14:53   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ASIEH NAMDAR, CNN ANCHOR: These days, Latin music is associated with stars like Ricky Martin and Jennifer Lopez, but the sound of Latin music has been around for centuries. Its history is dramatic and its origins are rich. Your turn now.

SHIHAB RATTANSI, CNN ANCHOR: Sorry; I was jumping the gun there. The distinguishing features of Latin music contribute to its sultry appeal. Many of these driving rhythms are borrowed from African traditions. CNN reports on the African roots of Brazilian music.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DEBRA DAUGHERTY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): They call it Africa in Brazil.

In their long journey from West Africa to the new world, many of Brazil's more than one million slaves first saw South America at Salvador, Brazil's first capital. A capital lined with colonial mansions and Catholic churches and more than any other region, the inhabitants of Bahia have retained their heritage even now. Four out of five Salvidorians trace their ancestry to Africa. The white turban and dress worn by the women were a (UNINTELLIGIBLE) tradition. The language is Portuguese; and the culture is African.

CAETANO VELOSO, GRAMMY AWARD WINNER: They were co-colonizers, co-creators of Brazil. And that's the way I see them or us, because I'm partly black too. Consequently, our music is just as black.

DAUGHERTY: Local bands pound their way through Salvador streets.

GILBERTO GIL, GRAMMY AWARD WINNER: Music was based on the inherited things that we have, especially because of the religion brought from Nigeria and they reproduced lots of drumming and chanting and that sort of thing. And that kind of spread you know, over the city of Salvador.

DAUGHERTY: Their rhythm is both the sound of the street festival and the pulse of the Afro-Brazilian religion called (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

MARCELO CASTRO BRANCO, PRESIDENT POLYGRAM: The music from here is responsible in Brazil nowadays, for almost all 15 to 20 million records sold per year, you know, and most are really super stars.

DAUGHERTY: For many in this poor corner of Brazil, music is an escape of reality of every day life; and this city has lived up to that Appalachian, for musically there are many watching over them, including Iemanja, the African goddess of the sea.

Debra Daugherty, CNN, Salvador, Brazil.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com