HISTORY – The procession of Frevo Clubs closely resembles the Lenten processions, of Cinzas e Fogaréus (Ashes and Torches), common to Recife in the 18th century, carrying the typical standard (flag) of medieval corporations, with their members wearing silk, flannel trousers, and necklaces with the profession’s emblem. The professional corporations of the last century, remnants of the first centuries of Brazil’s colonization, started the Frevo or Carnival Clubs , which during Carnival walked on the streets, singing and dancing on visits to houses of friendly people where they ate and drank, in an euphoria common to that time.
FORMATION – The procession of the Carnival Club is opened by the buglers, followed by the directory, ala dos diabos (devils’ wing), ala dos morcegos (bats’ wing), the standard bearers dressed like Louis XV, who take turns wielding the association’s greatest symbol, president and maid of honor, damas de frente (leading ladies), prominent costumes of the enredo (plot of the samba school), wing of passistas (samba dancers) that dance around the whole set, conductor, and orchestra.
FREVO – The march that previously had a progress like the dobrado (a Brazilian military march) gained innovative elements of the polka and the military march and, over the years, became the Pernambuco frevo, turning the old associations of the 19th century into the current Carnival Clubs. The Club drew the attention of capoeira players, commonly present in the parades of military bands that, by dancing complicated steps, created the choreography of the Pernambuco frevo, which locals call passo (step).
MIXED CARNIVAL CLUBS OR FREVO CLUBS:
Das Pás – founded in 1888
Vassourinhas – founded in 1889
Lenhadores – founded in 1897
Amantes das Flores – founded in 1919
Prato Misterioso – founded in 1919
Toureiros de Santo Antônio – founded in 1924
Transporte em Folia – founded in 1936
These are some of the Carnival Clubs still active in the celebrations of the Pernambuco Carnival.
Recife, November 30, 2004.
how to quote this text
Lima, Cláudia. Clubes de Frevo. In: Pesquisa Escolar. Recife: Fundação Joaquim Nabuco, 2004. Available at:https://pesquisaescolar.fundaj.gov.br/en/artigo/frevo-clubs/. Access on: month day year. (Ex.: Aug. 6, 2020.)