Abstract

 My paper will focus on the cultural aspects of the country of Brazil.  I will first cover the major statistical facts about Brazil and give a brief history of the country and its beginnings.  This is to ensure that the reader has a significant background of the country so to better understand the culture and its make-up.  I will be discussing issues that form and build the cultures of countries around the world. These topics will include, but will not be limited to national symbols, yearly festivals, music, food, dance, folklore, literature, and language.  I chose Brazil because of its festive spirit and the diversity within the different regions of the country.  This paper will prove valuable not only to students studying the country of Brazil, but will also serve well travelers who are planning a trip to Brazil and would like to know more about the culture and the people before they travel there.

Introduction

By living in the United States of America, most of us are daily witnesses to the differences of cultures.  From European to Mexican to Swedish cultures, you name it, Americans see it all, hear it all, and even taste it all.  But we don’t always get a close look into other cultures—sometimes they just cross our paths.  However, it is still important for us to learn about be knowledgeable about other cultures.  Once such culture that has much to be learned from is the culture in Brazil.  Brazilian culture is perhaps one of the most interesting cultures to learn about because it is so rich and diverse.  Brazil alone is separated into five different regions which all encompass different customs and cultural aspects.  (10)  The following is an account of many aspects of the Brazilian culture and sources to help you learn more about the marvelous Brazil.
 
Applicable National Standards for Geography

Through this study of Brazilian culture the reader will be able to use the National Standard, "Knows and understands that culture and experience influence people’s perceptions of places and experience."  Through historical accounts, statistical facts, and cultural information the reader will gain his own perception of Brazil and the experiences one can have there.  The differences discussed will also help him to, "Knows and understand the complexity of the earth’s cultural mosaic."  As Americans it is so important for us to understand others differences and to accept them as additions and benefits to our society.  By learning about another nation and its roots the reader will understand how wide our differences stretch and how much they bring us together.
 
Brazil at a Glance (6)

Full Country Name: Federal Republic of Brazil
Capital City: Brasilia
Area: 8,511,965 sq. km
Location: Eastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean (click here to see a map)
Population: 158.7 million
Population growth rate: 1.28%
Language: Portuguese
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write
Labor Force: 57 million
Religion: 90% Roman Catholic
Government: Federal Republic
President: Fernando Henrique Cardoso

Brief History of Brazil

 Brazil, now the world’s fifth largest country, was discovered in 1500 by Portuguese navigator Pedro Alvares Cabral.  The new colonists discovered that the land was ideal for growing sugar cane, and this quickly became the basis of Brazil’s economic development.  Along with this growth came the use of African slaves used to work in the sugar cane plantations.  Then, in the 1690’s gold was discovered in the Minas Gerais and it replaced sugar as the countries main export.  In the 19th century coffee became the main export and economic staple for Brazil.  Due to the abolition of slavery in Brazil in the year 1888, European immigration sky-rocketed as people came to work in the coffee-estates, called fazendas.  (6)  In 1889, the rule of Dom Pedro II (who had ruled for 49 years) came to an end as a military coup took over and Brazil became a Republic.  Brazil would continue to have economic struggles, which no leadership could seem to solve.  Order and progress seemed to be on the horizon 1989 when Brazilians were given their first opportunity to vote in almost 30 years.  This election did not prove successful for the Brazilians, however, when the man they elected for president, Fernando Collor de Mello, was removed from office three years later for extortion and bribery.  After a brief rule by Collor’s Vice President, Itamar Franco, a new president was elected in 1994 by the name of Fernando Cardoso.

Culture

People
 
 The cultural make-up of the people of Brazil is significant and vast.  People who are from different countries and cultures around the world inhabit Brazil.  Though the Portuguese colonizers can take credit for the language and religion, many other nationalities have shaped the culture of Brazil.  Today, "there are approximately 200 Indian societies living in Brazil…this represents one of the greatest cultural treasures of the world." (2)  In addition to the country’s native Indians, Brazil has also been greatly affected and enriched by the African population which has been in place since the days of lucrative slave trade.  Diversity in Brazil continues with the settlement of Europeans, Dutch, French, Germans, Italians, and peoples from the Middle East and Asia.  "Brazilians are perhaps one of the most racially mixed peoples in the world." (7)  This mix of peoples is what makes Brazil’s culture so diverse, rich, exciting and eclectic—even today.

National Symbols

 Just as our flag represents so much to us here in the United States of America, so does the national flag of Brazil mean to its people there.  The flag and its symbols represent several different aspects of the Brazilian culture and land.  "The Brazilian Flag has a large yellow shape diamond on a green background.  The color green stands for the lush fields and forests of Brazil.  The color yellow represents its wealth in gold, which is found in many areas of the country.  In the center of the yellow diamond there is a blue sphere that symbolizes the usual navy blue sky that one finds in the tropical areas of the Earth.  In that sky there are the stars which represent the capital of the country and its federal states.  Actually there are 26 states and the capital (27 stars).  In the middle of the sphere there is a white banner with a  legend: "Ordem e Progresso", that means "Order and Progress". (3)
 The Brazilian National Anthem is another important symbol of Brazilian history, culture, and people.  Though there is some dispute over the history of the anthem and its subject matter, there is no dispute over its significance as a national symbol.  It was composed by Francisco Manuel and has several different texts that go along with it, written by several different writers.

Language

 The national language of Brazil is Portuguese.  "Portuguese, infused with many words from Indian and African languages, is spoken by all Brazilians.   Accents, dialects, and slang vary regionally." (6)  However, Brazilian Portuguese should not be mistaken for the language spoken in Portugal, which is very different.  "Some people suggest that Brazilians actually speak ‘Brazilian’ much in the same way that Americans might be said to speak ‘American’ rather than English." (7)

Literature

 Brazilian literature got its start in the 19th century with roots in Romanticism.  "Brazilian writers began to emphasize individual freedom, subjectivism, and a concern for social issues." (7)  Later came the Parnassian school of poetry, which was a change from the Romantic period.  Major poets in this time were Olavo Bilac, Raimundo Correa, and Alberto de Oliveira.  At this time in the 19th century the most celebrated and perhaps most remembered writer of fiction was Machado de Assis.  His novels and essays "encompassed both the Romantic style and Realism." (7)  In the 20th century Brazils most celebrated writer is Jorge Amado, whose novels (which have been translated into 33 languages) focus on native homeland of Bahia and the middle class struggle.  There are many other celebrated Brazilian writers and poets who have earned much praise and admiration throughout the world.  A few of these noteworthy artists are Joao Guimaraes Rosa, Gilberto Frye, and Joao Cabral Melo Neto.

Music

 Brazilian music is one of the greatest assets of Brazilian culture.  With roots in African, Indian, and Portuguese, it brings together the diversity of all these countries that are so instrumental in the make-up of Brazilian culture.  The most popular and celebrated type of music in Brazil is the samba.  "The samba, which reached the height of popularity during the 1930’s, is a mixture of the Spanish bolero with the cadences and rhythms of African music." (6)  Noel Rosa, Lamartine Babo, and Ary Barroso were the three best known composers of this time, with Carmen Miranda being the best known performer.  In the 1950s and 1960s a type of music called bossa nova came on to the scene and gained much popularity with the hit ‘The Girl from Ipanema’.  At this time in history Brazilian music was becoming popular not only in Brazil but in the states as well.  Much of its exposure was due to television musicals that featured the saucy hits of this exciting and diverse musical style. Brazilian music’s popularity has continued to grow in the U.S. as well as internationally with the recent rise of the lambada.

 Dance

 The diverse types of music throughout Brazil have given much influence to the art of dance. However, Brazilian dances aren’t just dances; Brazilian folk dances range from simple traditional dances to full dramatizations.  "Subject, rhythm, costume, and choreography reveal the three principal components of the nation’s culture in a complex interaction." (5)  One of these many different forms of dance is the capoeira.  "Capoeira. A ritualized, stylized, combat-dance, having its own music….is a characteristically Brazilian expression of both dance and the martial arts." (1)  Several other popular dance forms are caboclinhos, caiapos, and the cavalhada.  Each dance has its own significance and importance as it relates to culture.

Festivals and Events

 Much of the music and dance mentioned above are the basis for many of the Brazilian festivals and yearly celebrations.  Though there are many traditional festivals that take place around the country, such as, Bois de Parintins in the Brazilian Amazon and Fessta do Divino (Feast of the Holy Ghost) in Paraty, the one celebration that Brazil is known for is Carnival.  (9)
 Carnival rules the country for four days a year, beginning at midnight on the Friday before Ash Wednesday.  Carnival is "a time to forget or recall an old love affair, to celebrate new passion or search for new romantic experiences….a time to protest against corrupt politicians, to complain about the poverty and give creative suggestions to turn the country into a fair place to live." (8)   According to history, this celebration began in 1641, when the first Carnival is said to have taken place.  Each festival varies depending on the location, but most main attractions are religious ceremonies, performances by the samba schools, and huge parades.  "This is, in short, the tasteful mixture of the popular and the erudite; of disorganization and control, of group and individuality; of non-commitment and passion, which culminates in the most magnificent show carried out by the Brazilian samba and Carnival." (4)

 Food/Supermarket Shopping

 Just as American food defines many regions of our country and different aspects of our different cultures, so does food and cuisine in Brazil.  "The staples of the Brazilian diet are white rice, black beans and manioc flour, usually combined with steak, chicken for fish." (6)   However, each region of Brazil—depending on its indigenous culture, which European group colonized it, nearness to rivers or the ocean, annual rain and soil conditions—developed its own very diverse dishes.  Although dishes differ within the country, eating habits are very similar (yet different form the United States).  "Meals are sacred: a time to eat, but also to share precious moments with family and friends….lunch is usually a more substantial meal than in the US."  Not only does the importance of the meal differ between the countries, but the times to eat are different also.  "Dinner is served much later than in the US….Brazilians will take their kids out to dinner at all hours."  (9)  One important tip for the traveler to remember in Brazil is that they do not eat on the run; they find it rude for people to eat where it is not intended for eating.
 Not only do Brazilian eating habits differ, but their supermarket shopping customs differ also.  A few of the differences are that their cashiers do not weigh produce, they use the metric system, meats are leaner and seldom come pre-packaged, milk comes unrefridgerated in boxes, and they have huge fruit street markets.  Although you will find these differences, they are also very "Americanized" and it is fairly easy to find American products also.  However, one thing that is difficult to find is pet food, because Brazilians mostly feed their animals leftovers and scraps! (9)  Overall, the Brazilian cuisine is delightful, creative, and an asset to their culture.

Tips for the Traveler 

 Aside from knowing this important food customs and other differences, there are several other factors the traveler should be aware of before departing for Brazil.  The currency is "real" and a US$1 = 1.13 real.  Bargaining for prices is expected in many places but here are some relative costs: cheap meal = US$8-10, restaurant meal = US$15-20, cheap room = US$10-15, and mid-range hotel room = US$40-70.  It is important to remember that credit cards are accepted all over Brazil but you should keep small bills with you and remember that most services get tipped a mandatory 10 %.
The time difference is 3-5 hours behind GMT depending our where you are in the country.  (6)   Lastly, keep in mind that the Brazilian people are very passionate and free-spirited.  Be prepared to be greeted by warm, friendly, hospitable people who are active and outgoing.  Just remember, Brazilians lead are very relaxed life and have a very casual attitude about time so, when visiting Brazil, kick your shoes off, enjoy a festive Brazilian dish, relax, and stay a while!

Conclusions and Recommendations

There is a vast amount of information about Brazil and its history, culture, and customs on the World Wide Web.  I have included numerous links to many sites that should be helpful to anyone studying or interested in Brazil.  Most sites will connect you with even more sites that found here, so just keep researching!  It’s amazing how much knowledge you can acquire one good site.  I have tried to include the best sites I found in this paper and hope they will be of help to all readers.  Brazil is such a diverse country and the culture is so very rich, that there is much to be learned.  In this paper I have just touched on the basics and have basically given a jumping off point for more in depth research.  Please use this site as a tool to learn more about the exciting opportunities and adventures in Brazil.

Works Cited

(1)  Consulate General of Brazil in San Francisco.  "Capoeira."  Brazilian Culture. 1998.  http://crl.com/~brazil.capo.htm (Apr 14, 1998)

(2)  Consulate General of Brazil in San Francisco.  "The Culture of the Indian People." Brazilian Culture. 1998.  http://crl.com~brazil/culind.htm (Apr 14, 1998)

(3)  Consulate General of Brazil in San Francisco.  "The National Symbols of Brazil." Brazilian Culture.  1998.  http://crl.com~brazil/symbols.htm (Apr 8, 1998)

(4)  "History."  The History of Brazilian Carnival.  http://www.unikey.com.br (Apr 6,   1998)

(5)  Information Services of the Brazilian Embassy.  "Brazil in Brief."  Brazilian Embassy.  1998.  http://brasil.emb.nw.dc.us/bzeduind.htm  (Apr 14, 1998)

(6)  Lonely Planet Publications. "Destination Brazil."  Lonelyplanet on-line. 1998.   http://lonelyplanet.com/dest/sam/bra.htm (8 Apr 1998)

(7)  Morales, Walter.  "Enjoy This Virtual Trip to Brazil."  The Wonders of Brazil.  1998.  http://psg.com~walter/brasil.html  (Apr 15, 1998)

(8)  Paulo, S.  "Revelry Rules the Jolly Season."  Net Estado.  1998.      http://estado.com.br/edicao/especial/carnaval/canabre.html  (Apr 4, 1998)

(9)  Thomson, Shelia.  "Maria Brazil."  1998.  http://maria-brazil.org/  (Apr 14, 1998)

(10)  "Map of Brazil."  http://www.usbrazil.com/mapbr.htm  (Apr 15, 1998)

Created April 16, 1998

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