In this document we will find everything about the culture of Brazil

1. CULTURE IN BRAZIL
Brazil is a giant country that fascinates for its miscegenation. The
indigenous, European, Asian and African roots, among many others,
give rise to a true mosaic of people characterized by an ethnic and
cultural variety expressed through its traditions, gastronomy, folklore,
art, architecture and celebrations.
The multicultural nature of Brazil is recognized in the Constitution itself,
which guarantees the full exercise of cultural rights and says that the
state should support, encourage and value its different manifestations,
as well as protect the indigenous cultures, Afro-Brazilian and other
groups participating in it. the process of national civilization.
Portuguese,imposed by the Portuguese as an official language during
colonial times, serves as a national identifying element because it is
spoken throughout the territory.
The Brazilian geography is also very varied. It goes from the
paradisiacal beaches of the Atlantic to the dense jungle of the Amazon
and from the overpopulated metropolises like Sao Paulo and Rio de
Janeiro to the flood-prone desert of Maranhão. This incredible variety
has led to very different lifestyles and foods.
A detail that gives a clue to the impressive culinary variety is that a dish
with the same name can refer to entirely different elaborations
depending on the place. For example, the couscous, which from São
Paulo to Rio Grande do Sul is a semolina with sardines while from Rio
de Janeiro to the northeast is a sweet. The basic ingredients of
Brazilian cuisine are rice, beans, cereals and fruits, and the most
widespread dish is feijoada, a stew made from beans, pork and rice.

2. In Brazil, music enjoys a prominent role in popular culture. It has
diverse origins and with the spread of immigrants throughout the
territory, each region of the country has developed its own rhythm. The
cheerful and festive character is also very characteristic of the
Brazilians, but when talking about parties there is one that stands out
above all: the carnival of Rio de Janeiro. For a week the streets of the
city become an authentic party full of music, dances and parades that
attract thousands of tourists from around the world.
The indigenous, European, Asian and African roots, among many
others, give rise to a true mosaic of people characterized by an ethnic
and cultural variety expressed through gastronomic, folkloric, artistic,
architectural and festive manifestations.

3. BELIEF
The number of Protestants has grown rapidly and currently represents
19-26% of the population.
Other religions are spiritualism (2.1-4.8%), Afro-Brazilian religions (~
2%), others (~ 2%), as well as people without religion (7.9-12.8%). The
Jewish population in Brazil is 100 thousand people. Mainly in São
Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
The minorities are constituted by the natives who conserve their
religion and their customs, especially in the Amazon, such as União do
Vegetal and Santo Daime.
As a result of black slavery, some Afro-Brazilians practice African
beliefs such as animism, and others such as Candomblé and
Umbanda.
The arrival of immigrants from Asia brought with it the practice of the
following minority religions with respect to the country's globality:
Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Shinto and Islam, growing in the
country. Brazil has the second largest number of followers of the so-
called new Japanese religions, barely surpassed by Japan itself. You
can mention Seicho-no-Ie, Tenrikyo, Igreja Messiânica Mundial and
others, with varying degrees of Judaic-Christian influences, from the
religions of East Asia (mainly represented by the native traditions of
Japan) and Indian religions (mainly represented by the (Buddhism ).

4. BRAZILIAN MUSIC
The music of Brazil is a living reflection of the cultural diversity of this
country, with Indigenous, African and European influences. The samba
and bossa nova, famous throughout the world, are the best known
genres. Even so, there are several paradigmatic genres that identify
Brazilian music.
Like all expressions of Brazilian culture, the music of Brazil is a mixture
of very diverse influences, developing a wide variety of regional
rhythms throughout its history. Musical traditions of Europe,
African rhythms and indigenous styles have hybridized since the
colonial era to form a panorama of sounds unique in the world.

5. DANCES
SAMBA
Samba is a genre of dance music that was born in Brazil, where it is
the national dance. There are two different forms of Samba: the rural
and the urban, although nowadays the name of Samba is often given
to a variety of danceable species that, in general, are distinguished by
their binary compass of great vivacity with a predominance of
syncopation, and by the use of the major mode in the melodies. The
samba is danced during festivals and popular celebrations such as
Carnival. Some of the most popular versions include: carioca, a baion,
conga, mesemba, a batucado and carnivale. To get the real character
of the Samba, the dancer has to play with the girl and be very
exuberant. Many of the figures currently used in Samba require precise
movement of the pelvis. This movement is very difficult to do, but
without it, the Samba loses all.

6. CAPOEIRA
Capoeira is a compendium of activities that are developed starting
from a process that contains a high dose of dynamism, and a
choreography that is carried out by two companions (although in reality
they are two enemies that are being stirred up). All this is characterized
by the association of ritual movements, executed in harmony and with
a lot of rhythm (we are talking about Brazil ...). The entire scene is
directed by the touch of the 'berimbau' (musical instrument that looks
like a somewhat rustic harp), which simulates an intention of attack,
defense and elusiveness, at the same time that skills, strength and
self-confidence are exhibited, with the collaboration of the partner /
attacker. The complex choreography is made from a basic movement
called "gingado". Among the most important characteristics we can
highlight: the freedom of creation, the strict obedience of rituals, the
preservation of tradition and, above all, respect. The word Capoeira
comes from the Portuguese translation of "caponera" (fighting cocks).
In 1712 the Brazilian army formed a special command of capoeiristas

7. who performed great feats in the war they had with Paraguay.
Capoeira is also known as the dance of the slaves, the dance of
liberation or of the delinquents. The ambiguity of this martial art, which
is often difficult to distinguish from an exotic ritual dance, is due
precisely to the circumstances in which it developed. Capoeira is a
dance, a fight and a game. It is "played" in the "Roda", a circle formed
by capoeristas, music is the basic element that directs the game of
Capoeira. With the sense of game, it has an attack and a defense,
being some typical movements of each athlete. For each attack there
are different possibilities of defense and counterattack.

8. THE CARNIVAL OF RIO
Undoubtedly, the most famous event of the year is the Rio de Janeiro
Carnival, one of the biggest shows in America and one of the biggest
manifestations of Rio's culture, which fills the streets of the city with
music and color. week and that has its climax in the spectacular
parade of the Samba Schools that takes place in the Sambadrome.
Although officially the Carnival lasts four days, from Saturday to the
Tuesday before Ash Wednesday (the exact date varies between
February and March), which marks the beginning of Lent, the
celebrations invade the neighborhoods with street parties, parades,
dances and free concerts throughout the week or even before.
Whoever visits Rio de Janeiro during the Carnival will enjoy an
incomparable atmosphere that shows like no other, the cheerful
character of the Cariocas, where the social, cultural or racial
differences disappear and all the hearts beat to the rhythm of the same
passion.
But the Rio de Janeiro carnival is not only a few days a year, it is the
result of months of preparation during which the Samba Schools create
fantasies, allegorical cars and impossible costumes and, specialized
musicians create rhythms that will be sung and danced by hundreds of
people during the official parade that will end with the great election of
the best Samba School of the year.

9. It is believed that the carnival, as we know it today, had its origins in
ancient Europe, in the festivals that Greeks and Romans celebrated in
honor of the arrival of spring and Bacchus, god of wine. Over the
centuries, the Catholic religion adopted the "pagan festival" and turned
it into a celebration prior to the beginning of Lent, 40 days in which
believers should refrain from eating meat, drinking alcohol and any
other earthly pleasure. It is said that the word carnival comes from the
Latin Carne Vale or Carne-levare meaning "goodbye to the flesh"
referring to the period of abstinence that begins on Ash Wednesday
and marks the end of the carnival festivities.
It was the Portuguese who introduced the custom of carnival to Brazil,
although the early years were characterized by its European style, with
masked dances where waltzes and polkas were played. Little by little

10. the influence of African culture gained strength in the carnival of Rio de
Janeiro, the Africans and their descendants began to use costumes
with feathers, stones and herbs and incorporated the rhythms of their
countries of origin. Later, with the emergence of the samba, the
Carnival of Rio de Janeiro became the colorful party that is known
today, being linked indelibly to this musical style born in the African
neighborhoods of the city.
The Carnival of Rio de Janeiro thus became a colorful and festive
street parade in which hundreds of people participated wearing
cheerful costumes, followed by musical groups formed mainly by
drums and other instruments of percussion, wind and string. Finally, as
the samba gained popularity, musicians, dancers and composers
began to organize themselves in clubs to demonstrate their talent,
giving rise to the Samba Schools and the great competition for the title
of Carnival Champion, which takes place during the last two years.
days of the official parade at the Sambadrome.

11. But the Rio de Janeiro Carnival is not restricted to samba schools and
official parades, but invades the streets of the city and each of its
inhabitants. Many of the neighborhoods are known as Blocos de Rua,
local groups that organize street parades that begin several days
before the official start of the carnival, covering the "Cidade
Maravilhosa" of a festive atmosphere in all its corners.
Currently there are more than 500 blocos that organize outdoorparties,
compose and sing songs accompanied by drums, trumpets and other
instruments and dance for hours without stopping, followed by people
of all ages. Most of these blocks of rua come out in the afternoon and
anyone who wants it can wear (or not) a costume and join them to the
rhythm of samba. In some cases these courtships are so multitudinous
that the streets through which they pass are closed to traffic and the
party lasts throughout the night.

12. REPRESENTATIVE CHARACTERS
King of the Carnival (King Momo)
The carnival begins when the keys of the city are handed over to King
Momo. The moment he dances, everyone should do it. He is the one
who inaugurates the most important events of the carnival.

13. Queen and princesses of the carnival
The queen of the carnival is chosen through a contest, in which
aspects such as her beauty, the ease to express herself, her sympathy
and finally her ability dancing samba are taken into account. The
representatives who remain in second and third place are crowned as
princesses.

14. z
CUTTING-EDGE COMMISSION
It is a group of between 12 and 15 dancers who perform a
choreography. Their costumes in some cases do not correspond to the
theme of the school, usually it is a group with their own costumes and
with an independent show.
THE STANDARD-BEARER AND HER ESCORT.
two characters of great importance for the parade. It is the carrier of
the school's flag and its escort.

15. BAHIANAS
The Bahianas are women of a certain age ostentatiously dressed in
traditional Bahia costumes.
These dresses have large skirts, which are used to make turns.
When they rotate along the avenue they represent the soul of the
samba schools.