Characteristics

Parlendas are compositions from Brazilian oral tradition and folklore, characterized as popular texts formed in verses with stanzas that may or may not rhyme. They are a literary genre marked by short, rhymed, and rhythmic verses. Easy to memorize and generally brief, almost all are in the public domain and stand out for their concise, rhymed, rhythmic, and repetitive form, not always with logical meaning. The simplicity and repetition present in parlendas make them accessible and easy to memorize, which contributes to their dissemination and preservation over time.

Derived from the Latin word parlare, which means "to speak", parlenda functions as small rhymes or recited poems, often without complete logical meaning, but with strong sonic and playful appeal. From a pedagogical perspective, parlendas play a significant role in children's cognitive and linguistic development. They aid in memorization, stimulate oral language, and promote socialization. Through rhymes and rhythms, parlendas facilitate the learning of basic concepts, such as numbers, days of the week, months, and names of everyday objects. Educators use these rhymes to make the literacy process more engaging and interactive, taking advantage of their playful nature to teach effectively.

Parlendas have as their main functions to amuse, entertain, and teach children. Frequently used in traditional games and play activities, their rhythmic and repetitive structure facilitates memorization. Besides promoting playful activities like circle games and songs, these rhymes often reflect popular superstitions and beliefs — for example, the idea that stepping on a stone can bring bad luck. Although many parlendas don't have a logical meaning, they are created to be playful and easy to memorize, thus contributing to fun and the preservation of cultural traditions in children's games.

According to folklorist Câmara Cascudo, parlendas are verses of five or six syllables and can be classified as:

a. Mnemonics: used to teach educational concepts or reinforce content such as numbers, days of the week, colors, names, etc.

"One, two, beans with rice; three, four, beans on the plate".

b. Selection Parlendas:formulated to choose who should start the game or "be it," lead, or have the most responsible part. They are recited quickly, and when the last verse ends, whoever is pointed to last "is it."

KingCaptainSoldierThiefBoy,GirlMonkeySimon.Sole, shoe,King, queenWhere do you wishMe to sleep?In motherAninha's house.Una, duna, tena, catena,Feather tip,Gurupi, gurupa,Sole, soled,Count wellThat makes ten.

c. Complex Parlendas: more elaborate and recited by children, including examples like tongue twisters. Some parlendas simply entertain, using imaginary characters and situations to stimulate creativity.

Where's the bacon that was here?The cat ate it.Where's the cat?Went to the woods.Where are the woods?The fire burned them.Where's the fire?The water put it out.Where's the water?The ox drank it.Where's the ox?Went to grind wheat.Where's the wheat?The chicken scattered it.Where's the chicken?Went to lay an egg.Where's the egg?The priest ate it.Where's the priest?Went to say mass.Where's the mass?It's over.

Brazilian Folk Rhymes.
Brazilian Folk Rhymes.

The cultural importance of parlendas is notable, as they represent a significant element of Brazilian folklore. They incorporate historical, social, and linguistic elements, often reflecting European influences brought by Portuguese colonizers and adapted to the Brazilian context. As they are transmitted orally, parlendas undergo adaptations that reflect the dynamics of popular culture, reinforcing cultural identity and social cohesion.

In summary, parlendas are valuable tools in both education and cultural preservation. They promote learning in a fun and accessible way, strengthen community bonds, and keep folkloric traditions alive. By integrating knowledge, culture, and entertainment, parlendas contribute to children's holistic development and enrich Brazil's intangible heritage.

20 Examples of Brazilian Parlendas

  1. Bao, babalao,Sir Captain,Sword on belt,Rider in hand.In Moorish landYour brother died,Cooked and roastedIn his cauldronBao-balalao!Sir captain!In Moorish landsMy brother died,Cooked and roastedIn a cauldron;I saw an old ladyWith a plate in hand,Asked for a piece,She said no!
  2. MiddayMonkey whistlesPot on the fireEmpty belly.
  3. There's fish in the cold sink,Jump cat, cat meows,Here comes Aunt Maria,And she's not empty-handedJump cat, cat meowsDown fell the slipper shewas carrying.
  4. Here's the dealThe mare costs one hundred and twentyAnd the mule?You can't even guess!
  5. Beans with rice,Three, four,Beans on the plate,Five, six,I'm a regular,Seven, eight,Eat a cookie,Nine, ten,Eat some pastries.
  6. Broody henAte a wormStarted jumpingLike popcorn.
  7. There was a witchAt midnightIn a hauntedcastleWith a knife in handSpreading butter on bread.
  8. The spotted hen and the speckled roosterThe hen wears a skirt and the rooster a jacketThe hen got sick and the rooster didn't noticeThe clever chick went to call the doctorThe doctor was the turkey, the nurse was the armadilloThe injection needle was the peacock's feather
  9. Look at the toadInside the sack.The sack with the toad inside,The toad chattering away,And the toad's belly letting out wind.
  10. King, captain,Soldier, thief.Pretty girlOf my heart.
  11. The yellow cowJumped through the windowThree stirredFour ateWhoever speaks firstEats its poopI am queenI drink chicken broth
  12. The fingersPinky,Its neighbor,Father of all,Cake poker,Lice killer.
  13. One, two,Grandpa's little houseIs covered with vineCoffee's taking longSurely there's no powder
  14. Who is it?It's the bakerAnd what does he want?MoneyCome inI'll go getYour moneyUnder the pillow
  15. Run, agoutiNight and dayUnder the bedOf Miss MariaRun, vineAfter grandmaI have a puppyNamed TotoHe jumps, he dancesOn one leg onlyCock-a-doodle-doo
  16. And a FrenchmanThe FrenchmanDrew his swordThe piratesGot goosebumpsThink he killed?Let me tell you what happened:Once upon a time, threeThis is the little churchThis is its little towerI open the door, there are many peopleIt's Sunday, I am happy
  17. Today is SundayPipe footThe pipe is made of clayHits the jarThe jar is made of goldHits the bullThe bull is braveGores peoplePeople are weakFall in the holeThe hole is deepThe world has ended
  18. White little doveWhat are you doingWashing clothesFor the weddingI'll wash myselfI'll sit downI'll go to the windowTo courtA young man passed byIn a white suitSo tall
  19. Get out, get out, get out, oh fishGet out of the lagoonGet out, get out, get out, oh fishGet out of the lagoonPut your hand on your headThe other on your waistGive your body a wiggleGive someone a hug
  20. Who whispers,Their tail stretches,Eats breadWith lizardWho listensTheir tail shortensWho complainsTheir tail swellsEats breadWith caterpillar

    21. References

    • AZEVEDO, Ricardo. Folklore Warehouse. São Paulo: Ática, 2000.
    • CASCUDO, Luis da Câmara. Dictionary of Brazilian Folklore. 10th Ed. São Paulo: Global Publisher, 2001.
    • HEYLEN, J. Parlenda, folkloric wealth: basis for education and initiation to music. São Paulo: Hucitec/Pro-memoria, 1998.
    • LERNER, Délia. The real, the possible and the necessary. Porto Alegre.Artmed.2002
    • MEC. Parlendas / organized by Ministry of Education - MEC; coordinated by Literacy Secretariat - Sealf. TELL ME. Brasília, DF: MEC/Sealf, 2020.