Photograph and documentation at São Paulos’ countryside: “batuque da umbigada” dance by Rodolpho Copriva

Abstract

This article is dedicated to analyze the process of photographic documentation accomplished by the photographer Rodolpho Copriva in the city of Rio Claro, São Paulo’ State, in 1952, 1953 and 1955. Such images are rare and show the dance of batuque da umbigada made by the city’s black community. The photographer going is singular, as it shows how a photo taken with law enforcement could carry a huge ethnography signification.