Groups Supported by Braskem Through the PAS Program Take Part in the Municipal Coco de Roda Competition

Community collectives work year-round to keep the cultural tradition alive

Maceió, June 17, 2026 - The synchronized steps of the dancers, the rhythm of the music, and the vibrant colors of the groups are captivating audiences at the 5th Municipal Coco de Roda Competition, taking place through June 21 in the Jaraguá district. Among the groups representing this tradition, uniquely rooted in Alagoas, are four community collectives supported by Braskem through initiatives under the Cultural Support Program of the Socio-Urban Action Plan (PAS): Coco de Roda Pau de Arara , Los Coquitos , Pisa na Fulô , and Reviver .

Behind the scenes, however, a great deal of work goes into preparing these groups before they reach the festival arena. Decisions regarding choreography, music, and costumes are made through meetings and rehearsals held throughout the year, strengthening community ties among members, family members, and service providers involved in the cultural production chain.

Daniella Wilma, a member of Coco de Roda Pau de Arara , knows these behind-the-scenes efforts well. She has been married for 19 years to Ivanaldo Silva Júnior, the group's president and director, where she serves as a producer. Their eldest son, Daniel Vitor, is also part of the band's lineup. "When there aren't rehearsals, there are meetings with the board to discuss decisions and adjustments. There's choreography, costumes, makeup, arrangements, and trips to the seamstresses. So, even when we're not rehearsing, we're getting together to make sure everything is done right," explains Daniella, who, in addition to being a producer, has also been dancing with the group for the past three years.
 

Behind the Scenes Make the Show

A focus on behind-the-scenes contributions inspired the theme that led Coco de Roda Reviver to win its first Municipal Coco de Roda Competition championship title in 2025. The theme, "Simply Roses," paid tribute to matriarch Dona Rosiana-mother of Roberto Calheiros, Reviver's president-who has been sewing the group's costumes for more than 25 years, as well as to Mestre Rosália, a renowned figure in Alagoas' artistic community.
 

Family and Community

Most Coco de Roda group rehearsals take place in schools and neighborhood associations. Genivaldo Júnior, president of the Coco de Roda Los Coquitos group and current president of the Alagoas Coco de Roda League, emphasizes that the work carried out in these communities helps protect and engage young people. "We currently have 18 groups registered with the organization. These are active communities that gather every week to dance," says Júnior.

It was at school that Jacqueline Lima first became interested in this cultural expression and danced coco de roda for the first time at the age of 12. Today, nearly 20 years later, she is a member of Coco de Roda Pau de Arara , which she joined while pregnant with her first daughter, Júlia, who is now 10 years old and dances with the same group.

Jacqueline's mother, Maria do Carmo, accompanies both her daughter and granddaughter in their activities. She travels from Benedito Bentes, where she lives, to the Clima Bom neighborhood just to watch the rehearsals and says it brings her joy. "I've been going with them ever since my granddaughter was very little. I'm 61 years old, and I'm still going strong, supporting them every step of the way," says Maria.

The distance between the Jacintinho neighborhood, where she lives, and the rehearsal site in Clima Bom is also no obstacle for Erika Oliveira to take part in coco de roda . Known as Sol, she has been a member of Pau de Arara for a year and says dancing is what she loves most. "Some friends invited me to join the group. I thought, why not? So I came. From day one, I felt very welcomed, and I plan to stay for many, many years," says Erika.
 

Cultural Support

In total, 18 groups connected to Popular and Afro-Brazilian cultural traditions will receive support through the program by the end of the 2026 cycle. It also helps organize a calendar of initiatives to revive traditional festivities in the neighborhoods of Chã da Jaqueira, Chã de Bebedouro, Bom Parto, Vila Saem, and Pinheiro.
 

PAS

The Social-Urban Action Plan is established under the Socio-Environmental Agreement, signed by the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office (MPF) and Braskem, with participation from the State Public Prosecutor's Office (MPE) and the Municipality of Maceió.

 

 

 

PHOTO CREDIT - Philipe Medeiros/Courtesy/Braskem