Mestra Aurinha do Coco

Origin

Olinda, PE

Also known as

Áurea da Conceição de Assis Souza

Years Active

1970s–2021

Genres

coco de roda, northeastern popular music

Instruments

voice

Biography

Áurea da Conceição de Assis Souza, acclaimed as Mestra Aurinha do Coco, was a prominent figure and guardian of coco de roda in Pernambuco. Born in Olinda in 1959, her life was dedicated to the preservation and dissemination of rich northeastern popular culture. She grew up in the Amaro Branco neighborhood, immersed in the traditions of coco singers, and began her musical journey in choirs such as São Pedro Mártir and Madrigal do Recife.

After a decade as a member of Selma do Coco's group, Aurinha pursued a solo career starting in the 1990s, taking the essence of coco de roda to stages throughout Brazil. Her art was marked by infectious joy, dance, and music, characteristics that made her an icon of cultural resistance. She recorded and collaborated with renowned Brazilian artists, such as Alceu Valença, Naná Vasconcelos, and Lia de Itamaracá, further enriching the musical scene with her powerful and tuned voice.

Mestra Aurinha do Coco was also recognized as a griot, a fundamental role in maintaining memory and transmitting traditions. She released the albums "Seu Grito" (2020) and "Eu Avistei" (2021), recording part of her work and legacy. Her passing in January 2021 left a void in popular culture, but her work and memory live on, inspiring new generations to defend and celebrate coco de roda as a cultural heritage of Brazil.