Cabaceiras, Paraíba - If the American West largely inspires the national mythology of the United States, the Northeastern “sertão” plays a similar role in Brazil. The parched backlands are a hotbed of culture that resonates with the Brazilian soul. For every High Noon or Unforgiven, there’s a Barren Lives (novel by Graciliano Ramos, film by Nelson Pereira dos Santos) or Black God, White Devil (directed by Glauber Rocha). If the Grapes of Wrath relates the saga of the California-or-Bust Oakies, the songs Pau-de-Arara and Triste Partida, made famous by Luiz Gonzaga, tell similar tales of Northeastern migrants to São Paulo.
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(directed by Glauber Rocha). If the Grapes of Wrath relates the saga of the California-or-Bust Oakies, the songs Pau-de-Arara and Triste Partida, made famous by Luiz Gonzaga, tell similar tales of Northeastern migrants to São Paulo.
