Frevo and its history

In the street and for the streets: Frevo was born! Know the rich history of this movement that originated in Recife and draws crowds wherever it goes.

By Paço do Frevo

Frevo and its history (1826) by Jean-Baptiste Debret. Reprod.: Horst MerkelPaço do Frevo

Before 1900

Frevo was born from the streets and for the streets. Get to know some of the most important moments that preceded the first citation of frevo as the cultural expression that is known today.

Frevo and its history (1823) by Jean-Baptiste Debret. Reprod.: Horst MerkelPaço do Frevo

The antecedent of the Carnival arrived in Brazil in the form of entrudo, a European party in which revelers took to the streets, equipped with balls of flour, mud and water.

Revelers in costumes and slaves engaged in a joyous and dirty war during the three days before Lent.

Frevo and its history (1893)Paço do Frevo

With the expansion of the army, military bands became more common and they were responsible for the origin of frevo as music.

There was a rivalry between two famous 19th century military bands: the Fourth Artillery Battalion and the National Guard Corps. They were so popular that they added two blocks with capoeiristas to the front, displaying their dance moves and canes and knives to threaten the rivals.

Frevo and its history (1927/1935) by Isidore Laurent Deroy, Seg. / Johann Moritz RugendasPaço do Frevo

The capoeiras were obligatory figures in front of all the bands, dancing and pirouetting. They were known for their complicated steps and sharp whistles.

Around 1856, a rivalry began between the capoeiras, defenders of the rival musical bands. Their taunts often turned into fights.

Frevo and its history (1927) by SabatierPaço do Frevo

From capoeira, frevo inherited the acrobatic dance, transformed through the years into different types of steps.

“Our capoeira is, before everything, the young man in front of the music march, armed with a club, challenging those of the opposite party who, among praises of some, and “die!” of others, breaks into hostility and fights, which often result in injuries, and even fatal cases!” (Pereira da Costa, 1908)

Frevo and its history (1909-02-22) by Do livro / from The book Carnaval Do Recife, de Leonardo Dantas SilvaPaço do Frevo

Masquerade ball in Recife.

While the public space was for the people, in the private halls the elite imitated Venetian masked balls, to the sound of a more sophisticated music, like the waltz. With the urban reforms, the street parties attracted the elite and the carnival gained a new face.

Frevo and its historyPaço do Frevo

The composition "Zé Pereira", the first known carnival music, is an adaptation of the French march "Les Pompiers de Nanterre" and was successfully launched at the Carnival of Recife in 1887.

Frevo and its history (1961) by Katarina RealPaço do Frevo

With the Abolition of Black Slavery in 1888 and the Proclamation of the Republic the following year, the carnival societies grew in number.

Also called pedestrian clubs, they were made up of artisans, factory workers, shopkeepers, clerks and urban workers.

Frevo and its history by Nestor DantasPaço do Frevo

Predominated the clubs that "dragged" all kinds of people, those who followed the sound of bands or the metal orchestras. The carnival marches appear, later known as Pernambuco marches and finally by frevo.

Frevo and its history by Clélio TomazPaço do Frevo

After 1900

On the first floor of the Paço do Frevo, the Hall of Time tells the story of Frevo after the year 1900. To illustrate this period, we selected 10 remarkable years of frevo since its first mention as a cultural expression until today. To read more details, click on the image for each year, below.