WE’RE ALL IN WITH OLUDUM

Olodum is an Afro-Brazilian samba drumming “bloco” that not only makes marvelous “samba-reggae” music during Salvador’s Carnival but also shines as a social group that fights for the rights of marginalized people in Bahia and beyond. In our classes we listen to, and drum along with, “Madagascar Olodum,” the opening track of Olodum’s 1987 debut album. The song’s lyrics paint a picture of the African nation of Madagascar as a bold and vibrant “island of love” that represents strength and freedom, confidently connecting African culture with that of Brazil. Learn more about the song’s meaning at OldTimeMusic.com.