Funaná

The ''funaná'' is a music and dance genre from Cape Verde. ''Funaná'' is an accordion-based music. The rhythm is usually provided by the '' ferrinho'' much like the use of washboards in zydeco, the saw in Caribbean ripsaw music, the scraper in Sub-Saharan African music and the güiro in Latin and Pre-Columbian music.

Characteristics

As a music genre, the ''funaná'' is characterized by having a variable tempo, from ''vivace'' to ''andante'', and a 2-beat rhythm. The ''funaná'' is intimately associated to the accordion, more precisely to the diatonic accordion, commonly known as ''gaita'' in Cape Verde. This influences a lot of musical aspects that characterize the ''funaná'', such as the fact that, in its most traditional form, the funaná uses only diatonic scales, Gonçalves, C. F., '' Kab Verd Band'' — 2006 and not chromatic ones.

The structure of a ''funaná'' composition is not very different from the structure of other musical genres in Cape Verde, i.e., basically the music is structured through a set of main strophes that alternate with a refrain. The main difference is that between the different strophes and the refrain there is a solo played on the accordion. The music is generally monotonic.

The accompaniment is made with the left hand on the accordion, providing a bass and the chords. The rhythmic model is played on the '' ferrinho''.

The melodic line of the ''funaná'' varies a lot through the composition, with a lot of series of ascending and descending notes. The ''funaná'' singers occasionally use the '' sforzando'' technique in certain notes, specially if they are long (imitation of the accordion?).

The lyrics of the ''funaná'' generally talk about everyday situations, mentioning the sorrows and the happiness of quotidian life, but they also talk about social criticism, reflections about life and idyllic situations. Recent composers however have expanded the themes. Another characteristic of ''funaná'' is that the lyrics are not made in a direct way, but frequently use figures of speech, proverbs and popular sayings. Example:

That requires a good knowledge of popular culture and language, and that’s why recent compositions, compositions from younger authors or compositions from authors with little contact with popular culture do not always use this poetry technique.

Concerning instrumentation, in its most traditional form, of the ''funaná'' only uses the accordion and the ''ferrinho''. With the stylization and electrification other instruments are used: the rhythm provided by the ''ferrinho'' is made on a drum set together with other percussion instruments (a shaker or a cabasa); the bass/accompaniment played on the accordion is replaced by a bass guitar and an electric guitar; the melody played on the accordion is replaced by a synthesizer. By the end of the 90’s, there is a certain revival where the unplugged (acoustic) performances are sought after, in which electronic instruments are relegated in favor to authentic accordions and ''ferrinhos''.

As a dance

As a dance, ''funaná'' is a couple dance, with the partners embracing each other with an arm while with the other arm they hold on the hands together. The dance is made through alternated quick and strong inflexions of each knee, marking the beats of the rhythm. In the more rural way of dancing, the bodies are slightly inclined to the front (having shoulder contact), and the feet lift off the ground. In the more urban way of dancing, more stylized, the bodies are more vertical (having chest contact), and the feet drag on the ground.

History

The ''funaná'' is a relatively recent musical genre. According to the oral tradition,Veiga, A. G., ''Badjo di Gaita na Ilha de Santiago'', in ''Voz di Povo'' — edições de 14 e 23 de Agosto de 1982 the ''funaná'' appeared when, in an attempt of acculturation, the accordion would have been introduced in Santiago island in the beginning of the 20th century, in order to the population to learn Portuguese musical genres. The result, however, would have been completely different: it would be the creation of a new and genuine music genre. There aren’t, nevertheless, musicological documents to prove that. Even so, it’s still curious the fact that, even being a totally different musical genre, the usage of the accordion and the ferrinho in the ''funaná'' is analogous to the usage of the accordion and the triangle in certain Portuguese folk music genres ( malhão, corridinho, vira, etc.)

Other sources, also from oral tradition, trace back another origin. They place the origins of the ''funaná'' in the increase of accordion importations as a cheap substitute for organs to play religious music. The ''funaná'' would have then appeared as an adaptation for the accordion of other musical genres that were in vogue then.

The name “''funaná''” itself is also recent, and dates back probably from the 60’s and 70’s. For some, the word derives from the Portuguese word “''fungagá''”. For others the name comes from the merging of the names of two great players, one of accordion and the other of ''ferrinho'', named Funa and Naná. The older words for designating the ''funaná''Fernandes, A. N., ''O dialecto crioulo — Léxico do dialecto crioulo do Arquipélago de Cabo Verde'' — 1969 were “''fuc-fuc''” and “''badju l’ gaita''”.

Initially a genre exclusively from Santiago, for a long time the ''funaná'' was relegated to a rural context and/or for the less favourished social classes. It has even been forbidden its performance in the capital, where it was the '' morna'' that had a more prestigious and noble character.

But during the 1970s, and mostly after the independence, there had been essays of reviving certain musical genres, among them the ''funaná''. The post-independence socialist ideology, with its struggle against the social classes differences, was a fertile field for the (re)birth of the ''funaná''.Martins, C. A., ''Funaná, a maior conquista'' in Tribuna — Dezembro de 1986 These essays weren’t successful mostly because “the ''funaná'' couldn’t step away from the ''coladeira''”.

It was necessary to wait for the 1980s in order the band Bulimundo and specially its mentor Carlos Alberto Martins (a.k.a. Catchás) make a true revival of the ''funaná''. Going to “drink” directly to the source (inner Santiago island), Catchás profited his jazz and classical music knowledge to make up a new style of playing the ''funaná'', leaning in electric and electronic instruments, that would influence nearly all artists from now on. Thanks to the success of Bulimundo, the ''funaná'' was exported to all the islands in Cape Verde. Today, the ''funaná'' is no longer seen as a genre exclusively from Santiago, being composed, performed and appreciated by people from all the islands.''Funaná — O cartão de Visita de Cabo Verde'' in Fragata, n.º 10 — Janeiro de 1996

If the 80's were the years of the spreading of the ''funaná'' within Cape Verde, the 90's were the years of the internationalization. The band Finaçon, born from a split of the band Bulimundo, was one of the responsible for the internationalization of this genre, thanks to a contract with a renowned foreign record label. Not only the ''funaná'' had become known internationally, but it is also performed by musical bands abroad, being cape verdean bands or not.

Concerning musical techniques there are no big innovations to the “Catchás’ style”, maybe perhaps only regarding the instrumentation (the possibilities of electronic instruments are explored). We can also notice, in this period, the excessive commercialization and banalization of the ''funaná''. For instance, during a certain year, there has been an attempt of disclosing the ''funaná'' in France. That attempt was not successful because ''funaná'' was sold as a kind of “summer in-vogue music” (right after the lambada), and not exploring the ethno-musical particularities of the ''funaná''.

By the end of the 90's, we can assist to a return to the roots, where the bands prefer to perform with authentic accordions and ''ferrinhos'' (occasionally a bass, a drum set and/or a guitar is added). One of the leading bands of this new trend was the band Ferro Gaita.

Variants

The ''funaná'' has several variants, not all of them well known and not all of them known by its true name. Here is the description of some:

''Funaná kaminhu di férru''

This is the most known variant of the ''funaná''. Generally when the word “''funaná''” is used alone it refers to this variant which is the one that is more successful, specially in dancing. It is a variant that reminds a march but with a ''vivace'' tempo.

''Funaná maxixi''

The name of this variant probably comes from the musical genre '' maxixe'' that was once in vogue in Cape Verde. It is a variant that looks like the previous one, but with an ''allegro'' tempo.

''Funaná samba''

In spite of the name, this variant has no relationship with the present Brazilian genre samba. It seems to be an adaptation of the '' lundum'' to the accordion techniques. The tempo is slowerBrito, M., ''Breves Apontamentos sobre as Formas Musicais existentes em Cabo Verde'' — 1998 (''andante'') and the rhythm is different from the other variants, it is quite similar to the ''toada''.

''Funaná morna''

Practically, it is not known by this name, it is more known as slow ''funaná''. It seems to be an adaptation of the ''morna'' to the accordion techniques, with an andante tempo. While during a long time it was the ''morna'' (''badju di viulinu'') that enjoyed some prestige in urban contexts and noble dance rooms, in rural contexts a slower version of ''funaná'' (''badju di gaita'') was developed in contraposition. Curiously, this variant has the same tempo as the Boa Vista ''morna'' and not the Brava ''morna''.

Examples of ''funanás''

*''Funaná kaminhu di férru''
** “Djonsinho Cabral”, traditional
performed by Os Tubarões in the album ''Djonsinho Cabral'' (Ed. Os Tubarões, Ref. T-003 — 1978)
** “Sant’ Antoni la Belêm”, traditional
performed by Bulimundo in the album ''Batuco'' (Ed. Black Power Records, Rotterdam, Ref. Lp 2233 — 1981)
** “Si manera” from Zeca di Nha Reinalda
performed by Finaçon in the album ''Funaná'' (Ed. Mélodie, Paris — 1990)
** “Matrialistas” from Kino Cabral
performed by Kino Cabral in the album ''?'' (Ed. Kino Cabral, ? — 1992)
** “Moças di Mangui” from Eduíno, Chando Graciosa and Bitori Nha Bibinha
performed by Ferro Gaita in the album ''Fundu Baxu'' (Ed. ?, ? — 1997)
*''Funaná maxixi''
** “Canta cu alma sem ser magoado” from Pedro Rodrigues
performed by Bana in the album ''Bana'' (Ed. Discos Monte Cara, — 19??)
** “Pomba” from Codé di Dona
performed by Codé di Dona in the album ''Codé di Dona'' (Ed. Globe Music, ? — 1997)
** “Nôs cultura” from Eduíno
performed by Ferro Gaita in the album ''Bandêra Liberdadi'' (Ed. ?, ? — 2003)
** “Puxim Semedo” from Kaká di Lina and Eduíno
performed by Eduíno e Petcha in the album ''Terra Terra Vol. 1'' (Ed. ?, ? — 2007)
*''Funaná samba''
** “Djentis d’ aságua” from Zezé di Nha Reinalda
performed by Zezé di Nha Reinalda in the album ''Djentis d’ aságua'' (Ed. ICL, Praia in the album ''Rabecindadi'' (Ed. ?, Lisbon — 1987)
** “Codjeta” from Kaká Barbosa
performed by Simentera in the album ''Raiz'' (Ed. Mélodie, Paris — 1992)
*Slow ''funaná''
** “Sema Lopi” from Bulimundo
performed by Bulimundo in the album ''Bulimundo'' (Ed. Black Power Records, Rotterdam, Ref. L.P. 1943 — 1980; Reed. Sons d’África, Lisbon — 2005)
** “Pombinha Mansa” from ?
performed by Bulimundo in the album ''Batuco'' (Ed. Black Power Records, Rotterdam, Ref. Lp 2233 — 1981)
** “Kortel di rabidanti” from Kaká Barbosa
performed by Zeca & Zezé di Nha Reinalda in the album ''Konbersu’l tristi, korbu nha xintidu'' (Ed. ?, Lisbon — 1983)
** “Li qu’ ê nha tchon” from Pedro Rodrigues
performed by Os Tubarões in the album ''Bote, broce e linha'' (Ed. ?, ? — 1990)
** “Saudade do Casel", traditional
performed by João Sebastião Fauvinho in the album ''Vinho, cerveja e salsicha'' (Trados — 2014)

Legacy

RIU Hotels opened one of its first resort and villas in the west of Santa Maria in the southwest end of the island of Sal named Riu Funaná after the music genre.

Every year, a best funaná is awarded at the Cabo Verde Music Awards since its first edition in 2011.

References

Further reading

*''The rough guide to the music of Cape Verde : morna, funáná, coladeira : music of sweet sorrow'' (compil. Phil Stanton), World music network, London, Harmonia mundi, 2001

External links

Breves Apontamentos sobre as Formas Musicais existentes em Cabo Verde

Música e Cabo-verdianos em Lisboa

Funaná rapido
Listening example, by Codé di Dona (accordion) and his son Lucio di Dona (ferrinho). Fro

a report (in German) about a project to document Cape Verdian rhythms

{{DEFAULTSORT:Funana
African dances
Cape Verdean music
Dance in Cape Verde