Assignment 101--Very Hidden Talents

You're up: Share your story of the talent you wish you had (or wish you had more of). Write it up in your journal or blog, and then come back here to leave a link. I'm looking forward to learning more about what talents we all don't have.

Of course, it would be nice to be able to sing, write well, and.... DANCE..  I would love to be a dancer of Carnival!  I think it would make my grandfather so proud up in heaven!! 

Extra Credit Useless Real hidden talent:  I can touch my nose with my tongue.  Something to brag about, I know.  

I just learned something about Carnival, and I'm embarrassed to say that I didn't know it.  The reason being is because my grandfather was an carnival icon of some sort in the Azores, and you would think that his grand-daughter would know a little bit more history on the subject.  This is what I learned today:

I got this from online @ ipanema.com:

"The first records of Carnival festivites in Rio de Janiero date back to 1723.  Immigrants from the Portuguese islands of Azores, Madeira and Cabo Verde introduced here the Entrudo. 

"The idea was basically getting everybody soaked wet.  People would go out in the streets with buckets of water and limes, and everybody would be a potential victim.  Even Emperors took part in the fun.  There's a curious record of a woman being arrested in 1855 for throwing a lime at Dom Pedro I's escorts." 

Leave to the Portuguese to think of this one, hey? 

My mother did mention to me about the water thing, and also of throwing powder at eachother--no mention of limes however.  Another tradition, is dressing up in costumes, and jumping over little camp fires they make on streets.  Yes, I come from a wild crowd. 

Carnival is a little different in the Azores.  It consists of many theatrical plays done to music, usually done with a dramatic and comical twist, with bright and fancy costumes. Unfortunately, my grandfather died when my mother was an infant and could not see her perform.   My mother to this day, can still remember every dress she ever wore on stage.  Being a daughter of the village icon, it was almost expected of her to participate.  Unlike myself, my mom knows how to sing.  I can't.  Nope, I've never been in anything Carnival.  But through this entry, I feellike I am, somehow. 

 Carnival is a tradition that still goes on in the Azores and in the states.  I just got an email from my cousin Rute who informed me that she had been watching dances for 3 days straight.  Of course everyone has a week off during the week before Lent over there.  It is also a time to eat.  EAT and EAT and EAT...  Particulary lots of fattening, sweet things, like homemade donuts, custards, sweet bread...etc.....etc. 

Above is a picture of Carnival in my mom's village of Vila Nova.  Feel free to check out my friend, Mr. Ormond's website. This picture is one found by my cousin Carlos Enes.  I'm guessing this was taken in the late 1920's.  The man in the middle is, Carlos Enes' grandfather and of  my great uncle Tio Janeiro, and the man close behind him in the woman's hat (yes all female characters were played by men at one time) that's Jose Machado de Gloria, my great-uncle's brother-inlaw, and later my step-grandfather.  Above him, in the dark suit, with the dark hat titled to the side, is Jose Machado de Gloria's best friend--my grandfather, Francisco Borges De Melo--aka; "Chico Roico". 

Verses

Dança da Ana. First dança written by Chico Roico. 1917:

          Mestre
Boa tarde queremos dar
É o ponto principal
A todos os presentes
Gozando o carnaval

          O Mestre faz o namoro
Ó Ana pede ao pai
Pode ele não gostar
Irmos nós os dois
Num instante passear

          Filha ao pai
Ó papai dai-me licênça
Eu nada me demoro
Eu faço a vontade ao Mestre
Coração a que adoro

          Pai
Vai lá passear pequena
Maldades nunca deixes
Olha se houver novidades
Tu no resto não te queixes

          Dançarino
O pai queria que a gente
A trata-se a mil geitos
Agora de braço dado
Já não apanha defeitos

          Ana
Eu ando aqui passeando
É pela vontade de três
É do papai, mestre, e minha
Não se encomodem vocês

          Dançarino
Tanto o pai como a filha
A vista de tanto povo
Não juizo que enxa
A casca dum fraco ovo

          Pai
Pequena tira o bracinho
Fica o braço espendente
Não te faças muito tola
Não me arreganhes o dente

          Mestre
Ao patifos se repetem
As palavras agora ouvi
Termina-se a dança já
Cada um cuida de si

          Dançarinos
Não pensamos que o nosso mestre
Fica-se tão irado
Pedimos todos com geito
Deveras ser perdoado

          Mestre
Já qie me pedem perdão
Tudo se perdoará
Mas se tornar a repetir
Eu não sei o que será

Vila Nova, (Terceira) 1917.

I knew about the Azoreans bringing Carnival here to the states.  That is what my grandfather did, but to Brazil too?  Gosh, you learn something everyday, I just don't remember any festivals of carnival where the women and men were half naked in the streets.  That would cause quite a stir with the older crowd villagers, although I will say, those old ladies sure enjoy watching those raunchy novela soap operas from Brasil... 

QUE LEGAL!!!!   OI OI OI!!!!