Escravos de Jó ● Slaves of Job

Pronounced “es-KRAV-ohs de JO,” Escravos de Jó is a well-known circle game played in all regions of Brazil. Enslaved people used to sing this song in their celebrations while dancing and playing games following the music. This song was prohibited during the slavery period in Brazil, but survived and was orally passed on through generations. To this day, children across the country sing and play games to “Escravos de Jó.”

One example is this cup game

Instructions for the game:

Each person passes an object around the circle and follows the directions in the song lyrics: 

• "Tira" (take it away): lift the object

• "põe" (put it back): put the object down

• "Deixa ficar" (leave it, without touching it): take your hands away

• When you sing “Zig Zig Zá”, keep the object in your hand, and move it back and forth in front of you

Watch people play a dancing game here

Yannucci, L. (n.d.-a). Escravos de Jó - Brazil. Mama Lisa’s World of Children and International 

Culture. https://www.mamalisa.com/?t=es&p=208