Brazil: Culture & Society
Brazilian culture is an extremely diverse Latin American culture. Its main early
influence - aside from the original indigenous cultures - came from Portugal,
due to strong colonial ties with the Portuguese empire which spread the Portuguese
language, legal system, Catholic religion, and other cultural traditions. Brazilian
culture also derives from other European influences, the beliefs and customs
of the native South American peoples, as well as from African and Asian cultures.
Although some nations pride themselves on fostering the peaceful coexistence
of multiple cultures (multiculturalism), the Brazilian concept of culture is
one of 'mixed unity', meaning that it is not exactly very open .
People
The Brazilian population, spread out over a continental-sized nation, reflects
a wide ethnic and cultural mix.
In general, Brazilians have a human warmth probably unsurpassed anywhere in
the world. They are a remarkably happy people, with a spontaneous, enthusiastic
and high-spirited nature - which they eagerly demonstrate at every oppportunity
for a celebration, especially during the annual Carnival parades.
Religion
Catholicism
Brazil is said to be the largest Roman Catholic country in the world, but the
truth is that there are all varieties of religious beliefs and practices to
be found in the country. Brazil was officially Catholic for four centuries,
from the 1500's until the fall of the Portuguse Empire, in 1889.
The Brazilian Constitution of 1889 guaranteed religious freedom and a wide range
of religions have since been practiced freely. Nevertheless, according to the
CNBB (National Conference of Brazilian Bishops), in 1996 about 80% of the population
declared themselves Roman Catholics. Many Brazilians are baptized and married
in the Catholic Church, however, they don't attend Sunday Mass very often.
Candomblé
Candomblé is a religion that was brought to Brazil by the slaves from
Nigeria and Benin. According to the slave-owners and Catholic officials, African
slaves had to be converted to Christianity and were therefore prohibited from
performing their Candomblé rituals. In order to continue their traditional
practices while still contenting their owners, the slaves coupled their deities
with corresponding personalities in Catholicism. For instance, Oxalá,
a male god of procreation and harvest, was identified with Jesus; and Iemanjá,
goddess of the sea, was associated with "Our Lady of Conception".
The Catholic Church was content to let matters lie, hoping that over the years,
African traditions would eventually die out and that Christian beliefs would
be strengthened. However, this has not been the case. Today, especially in the
North-East, many Brazilians of all socio-economic classes practice both Catholicism
and Candomblé. Umbanda, a religion derived from candomblé coupled
with the Christian and spiritist beliefs found in Kardecism, is also practiced
widely.
Protestantism
In recent decades, Protestantism has grown rapidly in Brazil. According to the
2000 Census, approximately 15 percent of the population identify themselves
as Protestants, an estimated 85 percent of which are Pentecostal/Evangelical.
These Evangelical churches have different denominations which include the Assembly
of God and the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God. Lutherans and Baptists
make up the bulk of the remaining Protestants and are centered in the southern
part of the country, where the majority of German and northern European immigrants
concentrated during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Literature
Brazil's most renowned writer is undoubtedly Jorge Amado (1912- 2002). Born
in Salvador, Amado's writing captured the spirit and personality of Bahias.
His novels, particularly successful in the United States, include Gabriela,
Clove and Cinnamon (1958); The Violent Land (1944); Shepherds of the Night (1964);
and Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands (1966).
Another important figure in Brazilian Literature is Machado de Assis (1839 -
1908). The son of a freed slave, Assis was a novelist with a deep understanding
of human relations, receiving acclaim for his five books and other literary
works, among which his greatest success was Dom Casmurro (1899).
Numerous other notable Brazilian writers emerged in the 20th century, including:
Erico Veríssimo, Guimarães Rosa, Carlos Drummond de Andrade, Clarice
Lispector, José Lins do Rêgo, Graciliano Ramos, Cecilia Meireles,
Lygia Fagundes Teles, and others.
Sources:
Brazilian Embassy in London,
Wikipedia
