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Culture of Brazil
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Brazilian culture is a Latin American culture of a very diverse nature. Its chief early influence was Portuguese culture, due to strong colonial ties with the Portuguese empire that spread the Portuguese language, legal system and other cultural inheritances. Other important influences came from other parts of Europe, the Native South American peoples (such as the Tupi), Africa and Asia. Although some countries pride themselves on the diversity of multiple cultures and their generally peaceful coexistence, the Brazilians idea of culture is one of mixed unity.
- Further information: History of Brazil
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The religion of most Brazilians is Catholicism. In fact, Brazil is the largest country in the world whose predominant religion is Roman Catholicism. Many other beliefs over time have been incorporated into the Brazilian catholic belief system such as Spiritism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Ayahuasca, and Judaism as well as religious syncretisms, such as candomblé, umbanda, and macumba, that mix Catholicism with African tribal religions. A majority of the population are non-practicing Catholics and would actually be considered agnostics in many circles. Certain denominations of Christianity, such as Pentecostalism, Methodism, and the Baptist church have also gained a large following.
- Further information: Brazilian Carnival
Carnaval, as it is known in Brazil, is an annual celebration held forty days before Easter and marking the start of Lent. Carnival in Rio de Janeiro is known worldwide for the elaborate parades staged by the city’s major samba schools in the Sambadrome and is one of the world’s major tourist attractions. In other regions such as Bahia and Pernambuco (and throughout Brazil), Carnival takes on a unique regional flavor. Carnival celebrations here feature locally-originating traditions and music (such as axé and frevo).
- Further information: Literature of Brazil
- Further information: Music of Brazil
Brazil's rich cultural tradition extends to its music styles which include samba, bossa nova, forró, frevo and many others. Brazilian contributions to the genres of classical music can be seen in the works of composers José Maurício Nunes Garcia (1767-1830), Antonio Carlos Gomes (1836-1896), Elias Álvares Lobo (1834-1901), Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887-1959). Camargo Guarnieri (1907 - 1993), Cláudio Santoro (1919 - 1989) and Osvaldo Lacerda (1927).
In the 1950's, Antônio Carlos Jobim, Vinícius de Moraes, Baden Powell, and João Gilberto popularized the Bossa Nova sound, which was followed by Música Popular Brasileira (literally "Brazilian Popular Music," often abbreviated to MPB). In the late 1960s, Tropicalismo was popularized by Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil.
- Further information: Cinema of Brazil
Brazil has a long cinematic tradition, reaching back to the birth of the medium in the late 19th century. In the 1950s, Cinema Novo, (literally "New Cinema") sprang up as a movement concerned with showing realism in film, in the vein of Italian Neorealism and the French New Wave. In recent years, films like Cidade de Deus (2002 - directed by Fernando Meirelles) and Carandiru (2003 - directed by Hector Babenco) gained Brazilian cinema a new level of international acclaim.
- Further information: Sport in Brazil
Sports are very popular in Brazil, the most notable being futebol (football or soccer). The Brazilian national football team is very popular, both in Brazil and internationally. The Brazilian national team has been victorious in the FIFA World Cup tournament a record five times, in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002. Brazil has produced many of the world's most famous football stars, most notably Pelé, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.
Brazil is also home to several sports which have become internationally popular, such as capoeira and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
- Further information: Cuisine of Brazil
Brazilian Cuisine is mix of the cuisines of its inhabitants and immigrants: Native Americans, Portuguese, Africans, Italians, Spaniards, Germans, Syrians, Lebanese, and others. The country is divided into five main cuisine regions:
- North (Picadinho de Jacaré, Tacacá and Açaí)
- Northeast (Vatapá, Moqueca and Acarajé)
- Central-West (pamonha, pequi)
- Southeast (Feijoada)
- South (Churrasco)
Popular dishes include:
- (Portuguese) Brazilian ministry of culture
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