There are two versions for the origin of the name: the first says that, as in the beginning the band didn’t have its own uniform, the musicians had to wash their best clothes to perform and that’s why opponents called them “saboeiros”, referring to the soap with which they washed their clothes. The second version, the most acceptable one, would be because of the existence of a saboeiro (a tree whose fruit produces foam when rubbed) next to the band’s first headquarters, giving rise to the corruption Saboeira, the name by which the band became known.
One of the most remarkable events in the band’s history was its performance during Emperor Pedro II’s visit to Goiana, in 1859.
Saboeira is the second-oldest music band in Pernambuco and has always been linked to the fate of the Liberal Party, both in triumphs and failures.
With the decline of the prestige of the old imperial parties and the advent of republican propaganda, the band ceased to be important for the Party, being practically abandoned.
In 1886, Francisco Tavares de Melo took over the direction of Saboeira, starting to maintain it with his own resources and the help of members of the Liberal Party.
In October 1908, one of its most notable members, José Pinto de Abreu, decided to organize a society, maintained with the monthly contribution of members, aiming to guarantee the continuity and regular activity of the band, creating the Sociedade 12 de Outubro, which became responsible for the maintenance of Saboeira.
From 1908 to 1930, the band had several presidents and in the campaign of the Liberal Alliance, during the Revolution of 30, Saboeira was under the guidance of the mayor and political leader Serafim Luiz Pessoa de Mello, who was one of its great supporters.
In 1939, the band gained new headquarters, with the help of directors, associates, the then federal intervenor of Pernambuco, Agamenon Magalhães and the former governor Barbosa Lima Sobrinho, among others.
Saboeira participated in several contests, having won several awards, including first place in a contest promoted by Argus Industrial de São Paulo.
The rivalry between the two music bands from Goiana, Curica and Saboeira has always existed and is still the same as in the past, but both are a source of pride for the people of Goiás and Pernambuco.
Recife, April 7, 2004.
sources consulted
IRMÃO, José Pedro Damião. Tradicionais bandas de música. Recife: CEPE, 1970. 184p.
SILVA, Leonardo Dantas (Org.) Bandas musicais de Pernambuco: origens e repertório. Recife: Governo do Estado de Pernambuco. Secretaria do Trabalho e Ação Social. Fundo de Amparo ao Trabalhador, 1998. 395 p.
how to quote this text
GASPAR, Lúcia. Saboeira (Music Band) In: PESQUISA Escolar. Recife: Fundação Joaquim Nabuco, 2004. Available at: https://pesquisaescolar.fundaj.gov.br/en/artigo/saboeira-music-band/. Accessed on: month day year. (Ex.: Ago. 6 2020.)