Beyond Carnival: See the accounts of women who overcame grief and trauma through samba
A diverse group in Campinas, Brazil, meets weekly to play samba music, helping various women to heal from grief and trauma through music and community.
In Campinas, a diverse group of women gathers every Wednesday in a samba school to find solace and healing through music. Participants like Leila Medeiros, who experienced the loss of her husband during the pandemic, have found new strength and purpose in playing instruments, describing the experience as therapeutic. The act of engaging with samba has acted as a pivotal turning point for them, offering a space for personal growth and recovery from their past traumas.
Another participant, psychology student Kátia Regina Cardoso da Silva, recounts how she joined the group after being moved by a performance and motivated to confront her own insecurities. Under the mentorship of the group's leader, she discovered her innate talent for playing the surdo and has begun to rebuild her self-esteem in the process. This communal activity serves not just to entertain but as a form of empowerment, showcasing how music can interlace with personal healing journeys.
Renata Gregório, a publicist who faced setbacks in her career, also experienced a transformation through samba. Along with her family, she found joy and a new perspective by participating in this group. The stories of these women illustrate the profound emotional impact of community and music, and how, beyond just a cultural celebration, samba can be a vital tool for individual and collective resilience in the face of life's challenges.