Words that consume: a contribution to the analysis of cocos-de-embolada

Abstract

The analysis of some curious vocalizations occurring in the cocos-de-embolada led me to raise the hypothesis that the coqueiros (those who sing cocos) resort to"enchanting" processes in their sung duels. By"enchantment" - a slippery word - I mean the activation of the performative aspects of the sung word by the coqueiros, in their attempts to supplant their rival singers. To begin the hypothesis testing, I analyzed two cocos-de-embolada respectively sung by Cachimbinho and Geraldo Mousinho and by Olavo Pedro and Pitiguari. I also pointed out that the word amarração indicates important aspects of the poetics of embolada that should be further investigated. Therefore, following Mário de Andrade, I suggest that a better understanding of cocos, as much as of other genres of sung poetry, should rest on the integration of formal analysis with the study of the coqueiros' values and cosmology.