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Cordel Literature
"Literatura
de cordel" (string literature) are pamphlets or booklets
that hang from a piece of string (cordel) in the places where they
are sold. These are long, narrative poems with woodcut illustrations
on the cover, often done by the poet himself. There are traditional
themes (romances, fantastic stories, animal fables, religious
traditions) and themes based on current events, famous people, life
in the cities, etc. Cordel can be hilarious and very racy, too.
The largest concentration of
this type of popular literature is in northeastern Brazil. We have
some pictures of works by the most famous cordel poets, J.
Borges (José Francisco Borges, 81-3728-0364 or 81-9937-3838).
Fortunately, his booklets are still widely available in markets;
prices vary, but most cost less than fifty cents. I bought this one
from a lady in one of the crafts markets of Maceió, Alagoas, and she
let me take a couple of pictures of her stall with several
bestsellers for sale.
pictures:
Woodcuts
The Last Supper of Lampião by J.
Borges, Pernambuco,1988.
The Life of the Lazy Man by J.
Borges, Pernambuco, 1986.
Maracatu by Amaro Francisco,
Pernambuco, undated.
Ciranda Nordestina by Amaro
Francisco, Pernambuco, undated.
Banana Tree by J. Borges,
Pernambuco, 1993.
Coconut Tree by J. Borges,
Pernambuco, 1993.
pesquisa
http://www.aultimaarcadenoe.com/folcloreingles.htm
http://www.maria-brazil.org/cordel.htm
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