BRAZIL - (Page 10)

Culture, Brazilian-Style The melting pot that is Brazil is more than accurate on a number of levels—none more so than the warmth and friendliness of the Brazilian people, developed, no doubt, from the 500-year-old stew of global immigration that has made the people and culture of contemporary Brazil as diverse as its geography. This heady mix of just about every culture in the world—European, African, the Middle East and Asia—has resulted in a cultural conviviality and a sophistication that makes it easy to understand why there’s no such thing as a one-time visitor to Brazil. And don’t overlook the diversity of its own indigenous peoples, who, one study says, has more than 188 living languages today, with as many as 155,000 native speakers. More importantly, the Brazilian indigenous peoples have been the keepers of the Amazon forest for centuries, living in harmony with nature. They have made substantial contributions to the world’s medicine with knowledge used today by pharmaceutical corporations, material and cultural development—such as the domestication of cassava and other natural foods. There are a variety of Amazon tours where clients visit these indigenous villages. The European cultural influence has not been limited to just the Portuguese, either, particularly since there’s been a steady stream of immigration from all over the world since the 19th century. Additionally, African slaves brought in to work the sugar cane fields and mines became the modern-day Afro-Brazilian culture, rich with music and dance and found mostly in the state of Bahia. Brazilian food also developed from these diverse cultures spreading out over a large country with different regions featuring their own cuisine. Portuguese, Germans, Arabs, Japanese and Italians migrated to the country throughout history, adding to Brazilian cuisine in unique and interesting ways. Traditional Brazilian food includes rice, black beans and manioc, a potato-like vegetable. Feijoada, the national dish, is a thick stew made from black beans, pork knuckles, beef tripe, greens and spices. Brazil’s large land mass contributes to the varied cuisines of the different regions, along with the different cultures that have immigrated there over time. The type of food in Brazil depends a great deal on which region you’re in. In southern Brazil, the gauchos (cowboys) have made salt dried meat and fresh grilled meat popular. Italians and Germans have influenced this region, too, Contemporary Art Museum, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro. with wheat products, leafy vegetables, dairy products and wines. The more industrialized southeast region features dishes such as chicken with okra called frango com quiabo and soft fragrant cheeses. Rice and beans easily combine as the foundation for many meals. Add collard greens and pork chops to create Virado a Paulista. You can see the Italian and German influences through this area with dishes like moqueca capixaba, a fish and tomato stew. The north section of Brazil is more traditional and heavily influenced by indigenous cuisine. Caruru du par combines dried shrimp, tomatoes, okra and cilantro. In northeast Brazil, seafood and shellfish form the basis for many dishes. One noteworthy cultural treat that should not be missed is the Brazilian national cocktail, caipirinha, which has become famous around the world and added to the inventory of trendy bars from Paris to Miami. It’s made from distilled sugarcane juice, unlike rum, which is made from sugarcane molasses, and is called cachaca. Brazilian architecture, too, is a reflection of its overall cultural history, all the way up to contemporary times. Rio de Janeiro—the federal capital for two centuries—and Petropolis—the countryside resort built for the royal family in the mid-19th century—both preserve the memory of different periods in Brazilian history, with Rio highlighting the longest heritage from colonial Brazil, to the Brazilian Empire and the ancient Republic. The oldest building in Rio is the Candelaria Church built in 1630 and replaced in 1898. The Sao Bento Monastery still preserves panels painted between 1633 and 1700, while the Gloria Church—where the royal family’s children were baptized during the empire—was built between 1714 and 1739. The Imperial Palace was built in 1743 and the Lapa Arches in 1750. Many of the 100 museums open today to the public were historical buildings, as well, including the National Museum, which was once the royal family’s residence, and the Republic Museum, formerly the Catete Palace, the residence of all Brazilian presidents until 1960. Petropolis, about 65 miles from Rio in the Orgaos Mountains, was built by the royal family as an escape from the heat of the city during the summer. The city was built in European style by immigrants, mainly German, who did the bulk of the construction of the Imperial Palace, now the country’s most visited museum. Here, horse-drawn carriages take tourists through tree-lined streets between the small palaces and mansions in the historic center. But it’s the capital city of Brasília that truly reflects the contemporary culture of modern-day Brazil and a major statement that Brazil—while respecting and honoring its past—is moving into the future and make no mistake about it. An entirely planned city, it was constructed in three-and-a-half years and with its inauguration on April 21, 1960, it became the Brazilian capital at the country’s geographic center. The city was actually designed by architect Lucio Costa in the shape of an aircraft with two wings joined by a central axis. Its magnificent buildings, however, were created by architect Oscar Niemeyer, including the Planalto and Alvorado palaces, the Esplanada dos Ministérios, the National Congress, the Itamaraty Palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Tres Poderes Plaza. Tours are available with a focus on Niemeyer’s work and there are also more B10 june 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of BRAZIL

Sun & Beach
Ecotourism & Adventure
Sports
Culture, Brazilian-Style
Itineraries
Fast Facts/Getting There

BRAZIL