Cultural cannibalism

Definition

Cultural cannibalism refers to a concept in which artists and cultural movements adopt, transform, and recontextualize elements from various cultures to create something new. This idea, often associated with the Brazilian Tropicália movement, highlights the fusion of different influences, including traditional Brazilian music, rock, and international pop, as a way to challenge cultural imperialism and express a unique national identity.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cultural cannibalism emerged as a response to the influence of foreign cultures on Brazilian identity, particularly during a time of political repression.
2. The Tropicália movement utilized cultural cannibalism to blend popular music genres like samba with rock and psychedelic influences, creating a distinctive sound.
3. Artists associated with cultural cannibalism aimed to critique the status quo while simultaneously celebrating Brazilian culture by incorporating diverse global elements.
4. This concept emphasizes the active role of artists in shaping culture rather than being passive recipients of external influences.
5. Cultural cannibalism is not just about appropriation; it's about transformation, where elements from other cultures are reinterpreted and integrated into a new context.

Review Questions

• How does cultural cannibalism reflect the dynamics of Brazilian identity during the Tropicália movement?
  • Cultural cannibalism reflects the dynamics of Brazilian identity by showcasing how artists creatively merged various influences to form a distinct cultural expression amid political repression. The Tropicália movement emphasized this idea by incorporating global musical styles into traditional Brazilian music, allowing artists to challenge both cultural imperialism and authoritarian regimes. This blending represented an assertion of national identity that was both critical and celebratory.
• Discuss how cultural cannibalism serves as a critique of cultural imperialism within the context of Tropicália.
  • Cultural cannibalism serves as a critique of cultural imperialism by allowing Brazilian artists to reclaim their narrative and agency in the face of external influences. Within Tropicália, artists combined elements from foreign cultures with local traditions to create something uniquely Brazilian. This process not only highlighted the superficiality of imposed cultural values but also demonstrated how local culture could absorb and reinterpret outside influences, ultimately forging a more complex identity.
• Evaluate the impact of cultural cannibalism on contemporary Brazilian music and art as an evolution from Tropicália.
  • The impact of cultural cannibalism on contemporary Brazilian music and art continues to be significant as it fosters innovation and diversity in expression. Artists today still draw from a myriad of influences while transforming them into unique works that reflect modern Brazil's complexities. This evolution from Tropicália illustrates a broader acceptance of cultural fusion, allowing new generations to explore their identities through various global perspectives while maintaining a distinctly Brazilian essence.

Related terms

Tropicália: A Brazilian cultural movement that emerged in the late 1960s, combining music, visual arts, and theater to challenge social norms and political oppression.

Cultural Imperialism: The practice of promoting and imposing one culture over others, often through media and globalization, which can lead to the erosion of local cultures.

Modernismo: An artistic and literary movement in Brazil that sought to break away from traditional forms and embrace innovation and diversity in expression.