Samba-Enredo 2024 - Arroboboi, Dangbé

The song "Samba-Enredo 2024 - Arroboboi, Dangb" performed by G.R.E.S Unidos do Viradouro, a renowned samba school from Rio de Janeiro, is a vibrant celebration of Afro-Brazilian culture, spirituality, and resilience. The lyrics are rich with references to African and Afro-Brazilian traditions, particularly those related to the Vodum religion, which has its roots in West Africa and has a significant presence in Brazil, especially in the state of Bahia.

The repeated chorus, 'Arroboboi, meu pai / Arroboboi, Dangb,' invokes the protection and power of Dangb, a Vodum deity associated with serpents and often represented as a rainbow serpent. The song calls upon Dangb's 'ax' (spiritual energy) to infuse the soul and skin, seeking victory for the Viradouro samba school. The lyrics also mention the 'casa de bogum' and 'atabaque na Bahia,' highlighting the syncretism between African religious practices and their evolution in Brazil, particularly in the form of Candombl, an Afro-Brazilian religious tradition.

The song's narrative weaves a tapestry of historical and cultural elements, from the legacy of the Mino warriors (an all-female military regiment from the Kingdom of Dahomey, present-day Benin) to the transatlantic slave trade ('J sangrou um oceano'). It celebrates the strength inherited from ancestors and the continuous flow of African heritage, like a serpent or a river, into the vast ocean of Brazilian culture. The call for the serpent's venom to become a source of power and the respect commanded by the Vodunces (Vodum practitioners) underscore the theme of empowerment through spiritual connection and cultural identity.