Tag: culture

Brazil, Up Close

The Western world has gone Brazil-crazy in recent years and I’ve never been quite sure how I feel about it (even though I’m certified Brazil-crazy myself). If we’re talking linguistically, where more and more people are discovering the beautiful language that is Brazilian Portuguese, then I’m all for it! I really feel that I will never, not even for a second, regret learning the language. 

Lampião & Maria Bonita – Meet the Cangaceiros from the Brazilian Sertão

When I was eight  I saw this TV series based upon a true story called Lampião e Maria Bonita. It took place in the dry lands of Brazilian Sertão, a bit similar to –and not far from- the region of Crisópolis, where grandpa Octavio had settled alone in a house, in the middle of nowhere, after leaving the big city once and for all. I remember having cherry tomato wars with my siblings, picking cotton from the trees in his backyard and eating his polenta. I also remember looking at the moon from the porch and feeling overwhelmed by its power, its mystery, and by the fact that it surely knew everything about my future (but it wouldn’t tell me). In terms of landscapes, I am not sure where the memories of this TV series end and where those from my childhood at grandpa Octavio’s little ranch begin.

Capoeira, Culture, and Language in My Life

–> Olivia Shetler

As a child, I used to be rather awful at sports; I had a hard time understanding certain rules and methodology and I found using tools in physical activities to be cumbersome. For a while, I thought I would give up on organized team sports and instead relegate my time to other studies. It wasn’t until I discovered capoeira that I found a sport I could truly fall in love with, and it isn’t necessarily because of its style, but also because of its community, and the dedication that unites so many people from various backgrounds.

Meet Brazilian Theater Legend: Cacilda Becker

Ladies and gentlemen, senhoras e senhores!

Let me introduce you to one of Brazil’s most important stage artists… Cacilda Becker!

Born in 1921 in the city of Pirassununga in the state of São Paulo, raised by her mother along with 2 sisters and with very little money, Cacilda became one of the biggest names in the history of Brazil and Brazilian theater. She left us early, at age 48, while on stage: At the end of the first act of the play Waiting for Godot, Cacilda had a stroke. She had been working as an actress for 30 years. 

Brazil On PBS: Black in Latin America with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

One of my favorite things about visiting Brazil is regarding the African influence on the culture. The food, the rythms, the dance the clothing, the lengends; it gives me a truly warm feeling inside. Coming from a Zimbabwean family, these aspects of Brazil bring back fond memories of my childhood experiencing those same things.

The Brazilian People

(source)

In the beginning of December, I wrote about why and how I taught myself Portuguese. The reason I wrote about the subject is that of all the questions I usually get asked, it ranks in the top three. The other two are “Why do you like Brazil?” and…well, it’s not exactly a question, per se, but it should be. The third thing I get asked indirectly, and by Brazilians themselves, is “What is special about us?” Such a question (if a Brazilian were to ask me directly) usually requires that I answer the second question on why I like Brazil, which, by the way, would take several pages to answer thoroughly.