Axé

Axé is a term with two related meanings in Brazilian culture: a religious concept used in Afro-Brazilian traditions and a popular music genre that developed in Bahia. The word derives from the Yoruba ase, meaning life force, spiritual energy, or power that makes things happen. In Candomblé and Umbanda, axé refers to the divine energy believed to be distributed by the orixás and to be activated through rituals, offerings, singing, and dancing. It is widely used in everyday Brazilian Portuguese as a broader sense of blessing, vitality, or positive life force.

Axé music emerged in the early 1980s in Salvador, Bahia, as a contemporary Brazilian genre that blends samba-reggae, Afro-Brazilian rhythms, and pop influences. It grew out of the Bahian carnival culture and the work of percussion groups such as Olodum and Timbalada, helping to popularize a high-energy, danceable sound. The style is characterized by driving percussion (surdo, timbal, and other drums), prominent brass and guitar, and chorus-driven, party-oriented vocals. Lyrically, axé songs often emphasize joy, dance, love, and celebration, aligning with Carnival's exuberant atmosphere.

During the 1990s and beyond, axé achieved national fame in Brazil, helped by artistically prominent acts and bands such as Chiclete com Banana, Banda Eva, Daniela Mercury, and Ivete Sangalo. The genre remains closely associated with Bahia and its Carnival, and it has influenced broader Brazilian pop and dance music. Beyond its musical expression, axé as a concept continues to symbolize vitality and spiritual energy in Brazilian culture.