Puxada de Rede

Origins and history

The dance appeared on stage in the 1960s. Ethnomusicologist Emília Biancardi worked with her group Viva Bahia to preserve these oral traditions. She learned the steps from Mestre Manuel dos Reis Machado and Mestre Vicente Ferreira Pastinha in and around Salvador. Mestre Canjiquinha later integrated the routine into folkloric suites alongside capoeira and samba de roda. The performance is now common in capoeira schools across Brazil.

The story behind the dance

The choreography follows a narrative of loss. A fisherman leaves his wife and children on a jangada raft despite her warnings. He falls overboard during the night. At dawn, his crew returns with heavy hearts. They pull the net and find his body among the catch. The community performs a funeral ritual on the beach. The dance serves as a living memorial to this tragedy and the dangers of the sea.

Music and spiritual meaning

Songs accompany the movements with themes of fishing and devotion. Lyrics mention hearing singing in the waves and addressing the mermaid. Performers sing about their jangada rafts and ask for good fish. They thank God for safe returns. The practice also involves worship of Iemanja, the sea goddess. Her presence is felt throughout the performance, linking the physical labor of fishing to spiritual protection.

How Puxada de Rede is kept

Dancers mimic the physical strain of hauling a heavy net. The performance includes two distinct rhythms. Singers recite verses about the sea and Iemanja. The sequence moves from the fisherman's departure to the tragic discovery on the beach. Participants often wear attire reflecting coastal life. The dance is taught in capoeira academies and folkloric groups.

When and where

It occurs during cultural performances or capoeira events. The timing depends on the specific show schedule rather than a fixed calendar date.

The custom is strongest in Bahia, particularly in coastal areas near Salvador. It has spread to other regions through capoeira schools.

What Puxada de Rede means

The dance symbolizes the perilous nature of fishing work. It honors the memory of those lost at sea. The invocation of Iemanja seeks spiritual safety for future voyages. The collective mourning reinforces community bonds against the unpredictability of the ocean.

Who takes part

• The dancers: Mimic pulling nets and express grief through movement
• The singers: Recite lyrics about the sea, fishing, and Iemanja
• Emília Biancardi: Preserved and staged the oral traditions
• Mestre Canjiquinha: Integrated the dance into broader folkloric suites

If you are a guest

Guests watch the performance as a tribute to maritime heritage. They may observe the solemn mood and rhythmic movements. No specific gifts or actions are required from attendees.

Then and now

The dance remains popular in capoeira schools. It continues to be taught as part of Afro-Brazilian cultural preservation efforts.

On the wedding table

Symbols: Water and washing Garlands and flowers

Questions people ask about Puxada de Rede

See also

KizombaA slow, sensual partner dance from Angola that turns wedding parties into intimate social gatherings.Chicken DanceA novelty polka song and accompanying hand movements performed at weddings and festivals.FrevoA fast, acrobatic dance and musical style from Recife that turns Carnival street parades into a display of agility.Dia dos NamoradosBrazil's June 12 celebration of romance, held on the eve of Saint Anthony's feast day.

Good reading and sources

• Puxada de Rede on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data

It may contain mistakes. Wedding customs differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-06.