Introduction to Brazilian Culture

Presented by Celeste Mann

“Brazil in the Americas”

Teaching Brazil Workshop

10-2-2010

Brazilian Flag Symbolism

• Green: Brazilian rainforests

• Yellow: The riches of the land

• Blue: The sky

• White: Peace

• Order and Progress: (positivist statement by philosopher August Compte)

The Stars: The States of Brazil

• North: Amazonas, Acre, Rondônia, Roraima, Amapá, Tocatins, Pará

• Northeast: Maranhão, Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte, Pernambuco, Alagoas, Sergipe, Piauí, Bahia

• Central West: Mato Grosso, Goiás, Mato Grosso do Sul, Federal District (Brasília)

• Southeast: Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Minas Gerais

• South: Paraná, Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul

Order & Progress: The People

• Original Ethnic Groups: African, Indian, Portuguese

• Additional Immigration: Italy, Japan, Germany

• More Recent Immigrants: Russian, Eastern European, Korean, Middle Eastern, Spanish-American

Order & Progress: The People

From Brazilian Forests and Greenery

Regional Cuisine Feijoada Churrasco Xim xim de galinha Cassava/manioc Vatapá Carne seca

Feijoada

Churrasco

photo: Churrasco on the Hill

Vatapá

photo: Creative Commons

From Brazilian Forests and Greenery

Tropical Plants (Fruits/Vegetables) Beverage Desserts

Brazilian Foods

photo: Quitando das Minas

Yellow: Brazilian Riches

• Minas Gerais– Literature– Film– Television

Igreja de São Francisco de Paula, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerias

Minas Gerais:Literature, Film, Television

• Minas Gerais figures in the Brazilian literature, film and TV. Dona Beija, Xica da Silva, O Grande Mentecapto.

• From there, historical and contemporary figures/locations are explored in Brazilian TV,film and literature

• Link to Rede Globo’s “Chiquinha” in English--trailer. Chiquinha

Gonçalves Dias: “Canção do exílio” (julho 1843)

Minha terra tem palmeiras Onde canta o Sabiá;As aves, que aqui gorjeiam,Não gorjeiam como lá.

Nosso céu tem mais estrelas,Nossas várzeas têm mais floresNossos bosques têm mais vida,Nossa vida mais amores…

Não permita Deus que eu morra,Sem que eu volte para lá;Sem que desfrute os primoresQue não encontro por cá;Sem qu’inda aviste as palmeiras,

Onde canta o Sabiá.

My land has palm treesWhere the thrush sings.The birds that sing in hereDo not sing as they do there.Our skies have more stars,Our valleys have more flowers.Our forests have more life,Our lives have more loves.…May God never allowThat I die before I return;That I do not see the beautiesThat I cannot find in here;That I do not see the palm treesWhere the thrush sings.

O Sabiá

Peace: Music & Dance

• Samba /Carnaval: Black Orpheus

• Classical Music

• MPB

• Forró : Luis Gonzaga, Sabiá

• Frevo

• Other Afro-Brazilian Rhythms

• Concert Dance: Modern/Ballet

• Capoeira

The Sky/Heavens: Religion & Spirituality

• Catholicism

• Candomblé

• Umbanda

• Macumba

• Protestant/Evangelist

• Judaism

• Islam