Maracatu Pacífico at MACLA

Maracatu Pacífico is a performance group that brings Afro-Brazilian maracatu music and dance from Northeastern Brazil to the SF Bay Area. Maracatu is a popular folklore-tradition from the area around Recife in Pernambuco, Brazil, with roots going back to the colonial era and the heritage of the enslaved Africans. Today, many maracatu nações ("nations") continue this tradition, acting as musical and religious centers for communities of color. Due to a resurgence of popularity and interest in maracatu, many non-traditional groups have arisen to the opportunity to play maracatu to more and more people.

Maracatu Pacífico draws its inspiration from both traditional Maracatu Nações (especially Estrela Brilhante do Recife and Maracatu Leão Coroado), and more modern, non-traditional maracatu groups like Maracatu Badia and Maracatu Nação Pernambuco.