Musical rituals of Afro-Brazilian religious groups within the ceremonies of Congado

Congo, Moçambique and Candombe are Afro-Brazilian religious groups that take part in brotherhoods of Our Lady of the Rosary and in their festivals-Congado-in Minas Gerais, Brazil. These rituals are accomplished through music. Thus singing, playing and dancing are a unique mode of praying. Focusing on the Brotherhood of Our Lady of the Rosary of Contagem and that of Jatobá-both situated in the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte, capital of Minas Gerais-the rhythmic behaviour of these groups is discussed, for the instruments and their rhythmic language are sacred. The variation procedures in the rhythmic patterns are related to the function of each group, to the time/space of performances and to the hierarchy holding of them by force of the legend behind the rituals.