How did Brazilian Modernismo use folklore and regional traditions?

In the context of Brazilian Modernismo, folklore and regional traditions were central to the movement’s goal of establishing an authentic national identity and cultural independence from European academicism.12

Modernists sought to define what was singular about Brazil by exploring its diverse ethnic and cultural heritage. They incorporated native folklore, legends, and colloquial speech into their work, viewing these elements as essential tools for social and cultural reform.213

Key figures drove this integration:
* Mário de Andrade: A central figure who was both a writer and a dedicated folklorist and musicologist. He researched Brazilian folk traditions and utilized them in his literature, most notably in his novel Macunaíma, which juxtaposes different regional and ethnic identities to reflect the country's heterogeneity.23
* Oswald de Andrade: Championed a "primitivist" approach, famously using the metaphor of "cannibalism" to describe how Brazilian artists could "digest" foreign influences alongside native traditions to create something entirely new and authentically Brazilian.2

By blurring the lines between high art and popular culture, the movement successfully elevated regional themes and local traditions to the forefront of national literature.12