Malandragem (Portuguese pronunciation:[malɐ̃ˈdɾaʒẽj],lit. 'roguishness' inPortuguese) is a lifestyle of idleness, fast living and petty crime. It is traditionally celebrated insamba lyrics, especially those ofNoel Rosa andBezerra da Silva. The concept is common inBrazilian literature,Brazilian cinema andBrazilian music.[2]
The exponent of this lifestyle, themalandro (a masculine adjective), or "bad boy" (rogue, hustler, rascal, scoundrel, gangster), has become significant toBrazilian national identity as afolk hero or, rather, ananti-hero.Themalandros are a classiccarioca archetype. The well-dressed, work-shirking wise guy who sidesteps society’s rules to live as he pleases.[3]
Malandragem is a strategic approach used to gain an advantage in various situations, often of an illicit nature. It involves savoir faire and subtlety, demanding aptitude, charisma, and cunning to manipulate people or institutions for the best outcome with minimal effort.
Disregarding logic, labor, and honesty, themalandro assumes that such methods are incapable of achieving a favorable outcome. Those who practice malandragem act in the spirit of the Brazilian adage, immortalized by former Brazilian soccer playerGérson de Oliveira Nunes in a cigarette TV commercial (hence the name "Gérson's law"): "I like to gain the advantage in everything."
Malandragem is often seen as a tool for individual justice in the face of oppressive forces. The individualistmalandro survives by manipulating people, fooling authorities, and sidestepping laws to ensure their well-being. In this way, themalandro is a typical Brazilian hero, with literary examples includingPedro Malasartes andJoão Grilo.
Malandragem is employed by individuals of various social positions to gain illicit advantages in gambling, business, and social interactions. Amalandro may deceive others, but this doesn't necessarily make them selfish. Their use ofmalandragem often aims to escape unfair situations, even if it means resorting to illegal means. In fiction,malandragem is a device used to introduce wit, a characteristic of an antihero.
Incapoeira,malandragem is the ability to quickly understand an opponent's intentions, and during a fight or a game, fool, trick and deceive him.[4] This malandragem is one of the basic tenets in the philosophy of capoeira and is similar to the cunning of the Hunter deity,Oxóssi.[5]
Some of the popular proverbs among capoeiristas embodying the philosophy of malandragem include:[6]