Mulheres percussionistas: uma etnografia com o coletivo Batucantada em Pelotas, RS

Abstract

This ethnographic discusses the relationship between women and percussion, from the perspective of gender relations, with the theme being women who play percussion instruments in Brazilian popular music, whether in groups composed exclusively of women, or in mixed percussion groups and samba school in the city of Pelotas. Even though there is a significant number of musical groups made exclusively of women in Brazil, talking about female percussionists always generates surprise. Although, musical groups – regardless of style – formed exclusively by men are seen as natural. This work makes an important contribution to the democratization of the local cultural scene, by emphasizing the participation of women percussionists in popular music and carnival, as rhythmists, in the city of Pelotas. By placing women as the protagonists of this musical style, the research aims to contribute to the discussion around gender relations in the field of popular culture. Considering that there is no anatomical impediment that affects the quality of music produced by women, I intend to bring the debate about the reasons for these reactions and resistance in relation to female percussion, showing the trajectory of female percussionists in the city of Pelotas and the growth of interest feminine by percussion.