Lia de Itamaracá

Origin

Ilha de Itamaracá, PE

Also known as

Maria Madalena Correia do Nascimento, Dona Lia de Itamaraca

Years Active

1960s

Genres

ciranda, coco, maracatu, MPB

Biography

Maria Madalena Correia do Nascimento, globally known as Lia de Itamaracá, is an iconic figure of Brazilian popular culture, revered as the Queen of Ciranda. Born on January 12, 1944, on Itamaracá Island, Pernambuco, Lia dedicated her life to the preservation and dissemination of ciranda, a traditional rhythm from the Northeast that unites music, dance, and ancestry.

Since childhood, Lia participated in ciranda circles, influenced by her mother, Dona Matilde. Her artistic trajectory intertwines with her daily life, having worked as a school cook for many years. It was in the 1960s that her name began to gain notoriety, especially after the composer Teca Calazans incorporated into her verses a chorus that mentioned her: "Esta ciranda quem me deu foi Lia, que mora na Ilha de Itamaracá". This song became an anthem, solidifying her identity as a cirandeira.

Lia de Itamaracá is recognized nationally and internationally, being considered a Living Heritage of Pernambuco and honored with several distinctions, such as the Order of Cultural Merit and the title of Doctor Honoris Causa from the Federal University of Pernambuco. Her influence extends beyond music, with appearances in films like "Bacurau" and collaborations with artists such as Daúde, Otto, and Nação Zumbi, consolidating her legacy as one of the greatest masters of Brazilian popular culture.

Discography

• A Rainha da Ciranda (1977)
• Eu Sou Lia (2000)
• Ciranda de Ritmos (2008)
• Ciranda sem Fim (2019)
• Lia de Itamaracá, Daúde – Pelos Olhos do Mar (2025)