For today’s episode of “Many Voices”, I was delighted to welcome our guest, Brenda Suyanne Barbosa, to teach us about the Guaraní music of her culture. Born in Brazil, Brenda has recently moved to Germany to pursue a PhD at the University of Music Franz Liszt Weimar, where she is also a Research Associate in Transcultural Studies.I’ve previously collaborated with Brenda on scientific experiments comparing singing and speaking across languages, but I really enjoyed hearing her beautiful singing voice and hearing more about her upbringing and what Guaraní music means to her. I was fascinated to learn how young Guaraní are adapting hip-hop musical and visual culture to Guaraní contexts, using warpaint and feathers as symbols of resistance against political and environmental oppression. Brenda explained how Guaraní dance is inseparable from music and life, even being used to train children to move silently through the jungle. I also loved hearing Brenda’s thoughts on combining science with Indigenous knowledge to understand the value of music for bringing us together. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Brenda as much as I did!

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

02:06 1 (sing): Apykaxu - Guaraní traditional, sung by Brenda Suyanne Barbosa

06:40 2 (traditional): Ñande Reko Arandu - Memória Viva Guarani Children’s Choir (https://youtu.be/l469uaunv6A)

09:24 3 (contemporary): Resistência Nativa - Brô Mc's, OZ Guarani, Owerá Mc (https://youtu.be/G-TqAeyj4_s)

14:01 4/5 (happy/dancing): Xondaro / Xondaria dance - Lucas Keese, Centro de Trabalho Indigenista (CTI) Programa Guarani (https://youtu.be/4FbUVwDwp9U)

17:38 6 (sad): Flor E O Beija-Flor - Marília Mendonça (https://youtu.be/Ukb0vLbg53g)

20:04 Broader thoughts on music, science, and Guaraní culture

Credits:

Recorded 19 March 2026

Guest: Brenda Suyanne Barbosa

Presenter/producer/editor: Dr Patrick SavageIntro/outro music: "Hearing music evolve" (Patrick Savage, Hideo Daikoku, Marin Naruse, The HU, Timbaland, Gakuto Chiba, et al., https://youtu.be/Qe1R-R1-Q7A)

Many Voices logo design: Dr Florence Nweke