VCX Brazil/USA

Brazil/USA

By CWR Brazil Virtual Cultural XChange Reporter

Layanna Maiara - Federal University of Piaui - Teresina, Piaui - Brazil

April 12

CWR Virtual Cultural XChange

The College World Reporter

CWR Virtual Cultural XChange - Brazil/USA

My People

By Layanna Maiara

A very known Brazilian poet, Mário de Andrade, said once that to be Brazilian is a unique thing in the world; is a thrilling originality. I could never find a better definition of what is to be Brazilian.

For me, it's complicated to tell about my people, because we are a complex mix of people and cultures, but I'll try to convey "what is to be Brazilian", so, if you want to find out more about Brazilians, then just keep reading.

What is to be Brazilian?

If you get the Constitution of Brazil, answer it will be easy. Brazilian citizen is: 1) anyone born in Brazil; 2) anyone born abroad to a Brazilian parent, with registration of birth in a Brazilian Embassy or Consulate; and 3) a foreigner living in Brazil who applied for and was accepted as a Brazilian citizen (naturalized Brazilian).

Well, but this answer above shows only those who have the right to be Brazilians. What about the characteristics of Brazilian people? This is a difficult question to answer objectively, because of the plurality of Brazilian people. Many sociologists declare that it seems like there are many Brazils inside Brazil due to the cultural diversity of Brazilians.

On the other hand, even though the diversity is the most important characteristic of Brazilian people, that doesn't mean that Brazil doesn't have a national identity. In the middle of all this diversity, Brazilians seek resemblances to indentify themselves as a Nation. And it's because of it Brazilians deal so easily with difference.

Brazilian in Numbers

Brazil has the fifth largest populationin the world, with approximately 190 million inhabitants. This population is a result of a strong miscegenation. The people whohave predominantly influenced this miscegenation wereBrazil's indigenous people, Portuguese, Africans, Italians, Germans, Spaniards, Japanese, Lebanese and Syrians.

Brazil was a Portuguese colony from 1500 to 1822, so, Brazilians are largely influenced by Portuguese culture and the both countries speak Portuguese.

According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), Brazilians are classified in five major ethnic groups based in the skin color or 'race':

This huge miscegenation made Brazil one of the most multicultural nations on earth.

Miscegenation and Brazilian culture

Brazilian culture is a reflection of the miscegenation that happened in the Country. Brazilians are proud of their rich culture. This richness is evident in Brazilian music, literature, art, food and so on.

Brazilian music has some original rhythms such as: samba, bossa nova, pagode, frevo, forró, axé, etc. Samba is a genuinely Brazilian rhythm strongly influenced by Africans and one of the most popular rhythms in Brazil. In Carnival, almost the entire country is overtaken by samba beats.

Brazilian art and literature has a large European influence, and mainly, from Portugal, because of the language, but, since the year of 1922 - when happened The Modern Art Week -, Brazilian artists and writers decided not follow foreigner trends and Brazilian art and literature experienced many changes.

The gastronomy of Brazil is literally a cauldron of influences. Brazilian food is usually very flavored and colorful. The most popular national dish is the Brazilian "feijoada", which is prepared with black beans, smoked pork and smoked beacon.

Feijoada

Brazilians know how to do a good party. Traditional Brazilian parties are almost holy in Brazil. Carnival is the greatest Brazilian holiday and is also a big party that lasts a whole week. During Carnival, Brazilians gain the streets to dance the beat of Samba and Axé.

Famous Brazilians

Here some famous Brazilians you should know:

As a famous phrase in Brazil says...The best from Brazil is the Brazilian People!

8:24 PM GMT | Read comments(1)

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