Barcarena, the capital of guitarrada

In the town of Mestre Vieira, a new generation is keeping alive the sound that blends choro, carimbó, and Caribbean music.

W

by Walter Bandeira · Sep 22, 2026 · 1 min read

In Barcarena, “guitarrada” isn’t something you’d find in a museum. It’s played at birthday parties, saint’s day celebrations, and roadside bars.

The Guitarreiros de Barcarena, a group made up of Mestre Vieira’s students and neighbors, get together every week to play the master’s songs and compose new ones.

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