 INTRODUCTION
Christmas in Brazil is one of the most important "dia de
festers" of the year. Old Brazilian legend says that even the animals talk
to each other about the birth of Christ; the rooster says, "christo
nasceu" (Christ is born) the bull asks, "Onde?" (Where?)
the chorus of sheep answers, "Em Belem de Juda" (In Bethlehem of
Judea)
LANGUAGE
Portuguese is the official language of Brazil, this is because it was
first a Portuguese colony. Except for the languages spoken by the Indian
tribes in the remote reservations, Portuguese is the only language used in
daily life. There are no regional dialects. Brazil is the only Portuguese
speaking country in South America.
RELIGION
The Brazilian Constitution guarantees absolute freedom of religion. In
1889 with the proclamation of the Republic, Brazil ceased to have an
official religion, although in 1980, 90% of the population declared
themselves to be Roman Catholic. Candomble is a religion that was brought
to Brazil by the Yoruba slaves from Nigeria and Benin. Today many
Brazilians from every social and economic group participate in both
Catholicism and Candomble.
FESTAS (Christmas) SANTA & DECORATIONS
Brazil is a large country with a mix of people from many parts of the
world, so they celebrate Christmas in many different ways. As a former
Portuguese colony they have retained some of the Christmas customs from
this heritage. One of them is to build wonderful "Christmas
Scenes" called Presépio, (the bed of straw in which Jesus first
slept after birth), commonly known as a Nativity Scene in other parts of
the world. This practise is common in north eastern Brazil (Bahia, Sergipe,
Rio Grande do Norte, Paraiba, Maranhao, Ceara, Pernambuco, Piaui and
Alagoas). A Franciscan friar named Gaspar De Santo Agostinho introduced
the Presépio in the 17th century, in the city of Olinda. Nowadays
presépios are built in December and displayed in churches, houses and
stores. In January, they are dismantled along with the Christmas trees and
lights.
In the state of Rio Grande do Sul, which is in the southern
part of Brazil, it snows - but not in December at Christmas time - only in July.
With it being summer the temperature is very hot but they still sometimes
symbolise falling snow with little pieces of white cotton on pine trees, their
Christmas tree.
Because of the hot weather Father Christmas who is called
Papai Noel (Father Noel) is dressed in a red silk suit with boots and his bag
full of presents.
FOOD
Unfortunately as is the case with most countries the amount of money a
family has will depend on the type of feast the family has. Most
Brazilians will have a feast as we know it, with roast turkey, vegetables
and fruits but for the poor, chicken and rice or beans and rice will be
their ‘special feast’.
Beer and wine are often also served and in the southern
part of the country it is not uncommon to find a German "Stollen"
and an Italian "Panetone" sitting next to the Christmas feast,
showing that there is also a European influence.
In some regions the feast starts on Christmas Eve at
about 9pm, while other Brazilians eat at midnight serving the children
first because they must quickly get to sleep if Papai Noel is to bring
them gifts. The timing of the dinner depends on how religious the family
is as to whether or not they attend midnight mass. This mass is called
"Missa do Galo" (a galo is a rooster). It is called this because
the mass finishes at 1am Christmas morning.
PRESENTS
Sadly not all children in Brazil will receive gifts even though they
have prayed for them. Local charities gather donations from those who can
afford to give and are willing to, but it is never enough for all the
children. Far too many children (especially the street children) in Brazil
who pray for Santa's gifts will not receive any.
THE POOR SIDE OF THINGS
In the poor places there is no difference in the surroundings, NO
Papai Noel, coloured lights, candy canes or swapping presents ; Instead of
swapping presents they go to midnight mass (church) on Christmas
eve. The poor believe that Christmas is not about spangles and glitter but
love and Christ.
CHRISTMAS CAROLS
In Brazil they sing a number of christmas carols to
celebrate the birth of Christ just like we do in Australia. Below is a
Brazilian version of Jingle Bells.
|
Hoje a noite
é
bela,
juntos eu e ela
vamos à capela
felizes a rezar!
Ao soar o sino,
sino pequenino,
vem o Deus menino,
nos
abenc
Toca o sino,
peequenino,
Sino de
Belé
Jà nasceu
Deus menino,
para o nosso bem |
Jà
nasceu
Deus menino,
para o nosso bem
Paz na terra!
Toca o sino
alegre a cantar
Abenc,
Deus menino,
este nosso LAR
Repeat:
Hoje a noite
é
bela,
(etc) |
by Alyce and Natalie
Click
here to go back
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