Guia Cultural da Costa Verde

Mangaratiba • Serra do Piloto

FOLIA DE REIS 3 REIS DO ORIENTE

A tradition with roots in São João Marcos

A family heirloom, the tradition of a folia de reis (in celebration of Twelfth Night) group has been handed down through four generations, starting with the great-grandparents who lived in the former town of São João Marcos.

Mestre Geraldo is the oldest member and head of the Folia de Reis 3 Reis do Oriente, in the company of roughly 12 family members between ages 16 and 75, including his son Melchior born on January 6 (twelfth night) and his cousin Gaspar, whose brother Baltazar died recently.

All of these participants play a fiddle, guitar, ukulele, accordion, percussion, bass, and snare drum. Mestre Geraldo and his son Belchior, the overseer, sing as well as play instruments. The rhythms are traditional, learned from the grandfather. The rhymes are composed by them and the venue and occasion give rise to the inspiration for improvising techniques, similar to the repentistas (improvisers). The legendary Clown character is also part of the group, personified by Virgulino and whose mask he himself prepares. One of the banners brings the manger’s image and another depicts the three kings of the Orient, the Three Wise Men.

The group has maintained this cultural tradition for decades and makes a point of teaching the complete storyline to the new generations. Its members recall that in former times the folia de reis would go forth in outings that lasted two or three days. Currently, they usually appear in the traditional Three Wise Men festivities, in the regional folia de reis meetings and also in the Parque Arqueológico e Ambiental de São João Marcos (a heritage park), a special venue to celebrate and honor the memory of their forefathers.

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