In the Brazilian state of Rondônia, which borders Bolivia, is a large Indian reserve where the Tupari, Aruá and Macurap live. In 1996 composer Marlui Mirande attended a large ritual celebration there. At the same time, she was asked to write a mass on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the death of Father José de Anchieta, a 17th century Jesuit. Anchieta was a special missionary because
… the first thing he did when he arrived in Brazil was to learn the language of the Indians, put their music in the service of conversion, and protect them from the marauding and murdering Spanish and Portuguese. Miranda could not imagine a better tribute to Anchieta than fusing the song and dance of the Indians with classical choral singing and orchestral music. For the Aruá Indians, of which only six are still alive, knowing that their songs live on in this Mass may be cold comfort. (GO) _more
