Maracatu de baque solto, or ‘rural’ maracatu, is a poetry/dance/music performance art from the sugar-growing coastal strip of Pernambuco state, north of Recife.
This traditional art, related to caboclinhos, cavalo marinho and maractau nação, is now under threat, mainly from police attempts to close down their all night ensaios, alleging public safety and security issues.
Researcher Chris Estrada, as well as taking these photographs, has reported on the issues the communities confront. Read more here