Construction of knowledge about performance in Santo Daime

an interview with the musician and guitarist Clemilson Dantas

Abstract

Clemilson Dantas has been a lead guitarist in Santo Daime for over 20 years and although his performance does not take place in the locus of the Daimist culture matrix (Acre), his performance can be seen as a good example of a path of investigation into the creative/diverse dimension that exists within the scope of the guitar performance of Santo Daime. Holder of a versatile and potentially conscious guitar technique, the musician imprints a unique dynamic on the rituals with his guitar, in a way that distinguishes it from the traditional style of performance of the hymns linked to the ICEFLU/Mapiá line (Padrinho Sebastião). Activating several interpretative mechanisms that correspond effectively to a “modeling in the ritual-experience”, the musician mixes/unites rhythmic-harmonic accompaniment and melody in his performance. His performance is indirectly assimilated by other musicians in the region (Paraíba), also reflecting a pedagogical dimension in his work as a Daimist musician.