Mark Joseph J.

Gata Jeep Accel 102 TTh (4:00 – 5:20 pm)

Culture Greetings
in
Brazil
Before the arrival of the Europeans, the lands that now constitute Brazil were occupied,
fought over and settled by diverse tribes. Thus, the history of Brazil begins with the indigenous
people in Brazil. The Portuguese arrived to the land that would become Brazil on April 22, 1500,
commanded by Pedro Álvares Cabral, an explorer on his way to India under the sponsorship of
the Kingdom of Portugal and the support of the Catholic Church. From the 16th to the early 19th
century, Brazil was created and expanded as a colony, kingdom and an integral part of
the Portuguese Empire. Brazil was briefly named "Land of the Holy Cross" by Portuguese
explorers and crusaders before being named "Land of Brazil" by the Brazilian-Portuguese
settlers and merchants dealing with brazil wood. The country expanded south along the coast and
west along the Amazon and other inland rivers from the original 15 hereditary captaincy colonies
established on the northeast Atlantic coast east of the Tordesillas Line of 1494 that divided the
Portuguese domain to the east from the Spanish domain to the west.

Tourist Spots:
Christ the Redeemer
One of Brazil’s most iconic monuments and Rio’s most visited attraction, the statue of Christ the
Redeemer was completed in 1931 and stands 98 feet tall, with horizontally outstretched arms
spanning 92 feet. The statue has become emblematic of both the city of Rio de Janeiro and the
whole nation of Brazil and is the largest Art Deco-style sculpture in the world.

Iguaçu Falls
At the point where Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina meet, ten miles before joining the Parana
River, the Iguaçu River flows over rough, uneven ground, and then, amidst the exuberant forest,
spectacularly hurls itself into a semicircular chain of 247 irregular waterfalls that thunder down
into the gorge below.

Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro

Occupying a narrow strip of land between the mountains and the sea, Copacabana − downtown
Rio’s most fashionable district − follows Avenida Nossa Senhora de Copacabana, and is famous
for its magnificent two-and-a-half-mile curved beach. However, the most powerful draw in
Copacabana is still the fantastic view of the coast and the incredible white-sand beach alongside
the rolling surf.

Foods:
Feijoada
The most famous of all Brazilian dishes, Feijoada is eaten in every corner of the country. This
rich, hearty stew consists of black beans cooked with different cuts of pork, supplemented with
tomatoes, cabbage, and carrots to round out the flavor. Traditionally, it’s made with slow-cooked
offal such as trotters and ears. Brazil’s national dish is served with fried kale mixed with bacon
bits, rice, farofa (toasted cassava flour), and a slice of orange.

Farofa
Famous for its distinctive smoky flavor, this is a deliciously salty dish made from small pieces of
bacon fried with cassava flour. It is served with rice and beans, which absorb the juices and add
an extra texture to an otherwise quite mushy meal. Recipes contain varying amounts of salt,
bacon, and spices and the consistency of the farofa varies greatly.

Moqueca de Camarão
Moqueca is a tasty slow-cooked stew typically containing prawns or fish, coconut oil and milk
with added vegetables, tomatoes, onions, and coriander, and served piping hot in a clay pot.
There are several regional variations of this dish. In fact, the neighboring states of Baianos and
Capixabas both claim to have invented it and both serve mouthwatering versions.

Festivities:
Rio Carnival
Colourful, raucous and hedonistic, there’s a reason Carnival is one of the best-known parties in
the world. Parades of elaborate floats and bejewelled dancers in barely-there costumes dancing to
samba may be the main event, but the revelry begins a whole month before. Each February in the
lead-up to Lent, the caipirinhas are free-flowing as clubs hold glitzy parties and street parties
(also known as blocos) take over the streets. Each blocos has its own theme with some of the
most popular being Banda de Ipanema, Sargento Pimenta (Seargent Pepper) and Afroreggae.
While Rio is undoubtedly the most famous Carnival party, there are huge celebrations all over
Brazil from Bahia to Sao Paolo.

Parintins Folklore Festival

Parintins Folklore Festival is the second-largest festival in Brazil after Carnival. Held in the
municipality of Parintins in Amazonas, this annual spectacle commemorates the local legend of
Boi-Bumba: an ox who was magically resurrected after being slaughtered to satisfy a pregnant
woman's craving for beef tongue. Two teams reenact the myth and attempt to outdo each other
using flamboyant song and dance routines, colourful costumes and giant floats.

Festa Junina
This nationwide festival takes place each June to celebrate saint John the Baptist and rural life.
Celebrations take place all over Brazil, but they're bigger and more spirited in the countryside.
People flock to rural fairs wearing straw hats and plaid shirts to feast on corn and sweet treats,
play games, listen to forró (a music genre from northeast Brazil) and dance the quadrilha (similar
to a square dance).

Culture and Traditions:

 Brazil has a beautiful mixture of cultures from around the world, with the strongest
influences from Africa, Europe, and Indigenous Amazonian peoples. Regardless of ethnicity and
where they live, a few common themes stand out, especially in Brazilians’ love of family, food,
and music. Home cooking is considered to be better than restaurants, and it usually is. The
quality can be world-class and you’re more likely to be served local dishes that you won’t find in
other regions or cities. Brazil pulsates with rhythms that have gone global, like samba and bossa
nova. Pay attention to the music played in restaurants, on beaches and in people’s homes as you
walk by and you’ll hear up to a dozen more styles. Perhaps the most iconic expression of
Brazilian culture is the exuberant Carnival—a celebration that captures the essence of Brazil's
lively spirit and exemplifies the nation's unique cultural identity. Cities like Rio de Janeiro and
Salvador become epicentres of revelry. Samba-filled parties, colourful costumes, and a vibrant
atmosphere flood the streets, and the festivities continue for days on end. One of the most
captivating aspects of Brazilian culture is its devotion to beach life. The long stretches of pristine
coastline provide the perfect backdrop for this cultural phenomenon. Whether strolling along the
golden sands or settling into a beachside seat, you'll immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere.
Everyone comes together to revel in the sun and sea. Other important traditions are dance
performances, athletic events and the art of capoeira, a martial art that blends dance with athletic
prowess. Many Brazilians are deeply religious, with the majority following Catholicism,
Protestant evangelical denominations, Candomblé or traditional Indigenous Amazonian faiths.

Livelihood:
Brazil is a major agricultural and industrial power, and the strongest economy in Latin America
and the Caribbean. It is a leading producer of coffee, sugarcane, soybean, beef and poultry.
Brazil has made significant progress in reducing poverty from 64 percent in 1990 to 28 percent
in 2021. Despite this, Brazil remains a country of great contrasts. Inequality is highest in rural
areas, especially in the semi-arid northeast. However, most of the dynamism in the agriculture
sector is created by corporate agriculture and driven by export commodities. Family farming is
still characterized by low economic dynamism and a high incidence of poverty.

Greetings:

Olá (hello)
Bom dia (good day)
Boa tarde (good afternoon)
Boa noite (good evening or good night)
Como vai (how are you?)

To sum up everything, this examination or activity really challenged me and I’ve learned
that Brazil, a country of immense cultural diversity, natural beauty, and economic potential, is an
endeavor that requires a nuanced and comprehensive approach. Brazil is one of the largest
countries in the world, with an incredible mix of landscapes, traditions, and a rich historical
background. Reflecting on this task, I realize the complexity and the vast opportunities for
showcasing its strengths, as well as the challenges in portraying an accurate and respectful
image. Brazil is also home to a vast array of cultural traditions that go beyond just music and
dance. From the indigenous communities in the Amazon to the influences of African, European,
and Asian immigrants, Brazil's cultural landscape is a dynamic fusion of different peoples and
histories. Highlighting these traditions, along with Brazilian cuisine, art, and festivals, gives a
more comprehensive understanding of the nation’s identity. By focusing on cultural richness, we
can promote Brazil not only as a place of tourism but as a source of global artistic and
intellectual exchange. However, this task is not just about celebrating its cultural achievements.
The country is also known for its breathtaking natural landscapes. From the Amazon Rainforest,
the lungs of the Earth, to the iconic beaches of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s environmental beauty is
unparalleled. The country boasts a wealth of biodiversity and is a major player in global
environmental conversations. As the world grapples with climate change and environmental
conservation, Brazil’s role in preserving the Amazon is crucial. Reflecting on this task has made
me appreciate the country’s complexity and its global significance. Brazil is a land of contrasts
and contradictions, but also of immense beauty and possibility. The focus should be on its
multifaceted identity—its culture, its natural wonders, its economic potential, and its people. By
embracing these diverse elements and promoting them in a respectful and thoughtful way, we
can help the world understand and appreciate all that Brazil has to offer, while also confronting
the challenges that lie ahead. In conclusion, this task is more than just marketing a destination or
product—it is about celebrating a vibrant nation with deep historical roots and immense global
relevance. It involves storytelling that goes beyond the surface to show the depth and diversity of
Brazil's cultural, environmental, and economic contributions to the world. While challenges
exist, with careful consideration, Brazil can be portrayed as a country that not only faces
difficulties but also continues to thrive and inspire.