The Suvaco de Cobra da Penha Circular and choro’music in the 1970's

Memory and Cultural Identity

Abstract

This article proposes an analysis of the daily life of a Rio bar from a sociological, historical, musicological perspective and the occupation of geographic territories associated with the concept of cultural heritage. The objective is to present the context of musical practices and social relations that took place at Bar Suvaco in Cobra da Penha Circular (RJ), between the 1970s and 1980s, highlighting characters, musicians and, above all, the importance of the Choro genre as an rescue element of collective memory and affirmation of Rio’s cultural identity. The Suvaco de Cobra choro circles rescued pieces by great authors and performers and promoted the initiation of musicians and composers who work today in the Brazilian cultural scene. The theoretical support adopted is based on the concept of memory and space proposed by Maurice Halbwachs, on the studies of collective and individual memory, by Michael Pollak, among others. The appropriation of the geographic space by individuals who are part of a social and cultural network is based on Howard Becker's concepts which was seekingan understanding of the social constitution of a Rio bar. The methodology includes a literature review and the memory recovery through interviews given by members of Suvaco de Cobra to the author of this article.