Brazil is known around the world for its unique holiday traditions and local celebrations. These traditions are both religious and secular, and some of the rituals are only known to Brazilians. Everyone is familiar with the Carnival, which is now a famous Brazilian tradition.
Its history is very interesting and although its origins are in Italy, the tradition is now being linked to the people of Brazil only. People from all walks of life and belonging to any religion attend it to enjoy Samba dance and music.
In addition, there are several other less known customs that Brazilians take part in. Some of them are held every year, while others are followed on a weekly or monthly basis.
These traditions have religious roots or cultural ties that are hard to break. They are mostly viewed as eccentric and entertaining by most outsiders, which makes Brazil a country worth visiting, especially during the summer months.
In this article, we will look at some other intriguing traditions and customs of Brazil.
Famous Traditions and Customs of Brazil.
New Year’s Celebrations.
No other country celebrates New Year like Brazil. Special buffet lunches are arranged at almost every famous restaurant on the 31st of December. Midnight fireworks are organized at the beaches and the entire city gathers at one place to witness the fireworks at 12 midnight. People who follow the religion Candomble wear all-white attire on this day.
This is the Afro-Brazilian religion; the official religion of Brazil. Some people wear accessories in red to bring good luck in the following year for love, and yellow accessories for money.
Feijoada.
This tradition is followed on every Wednesday in which every restaurant makes sure it has Feijoada served on their menu. This is a traditional dish of Brazil, and it’s delicious and heavy. Comprised of black beans and dried meat and served with rice and sausages, it’s often called the national dish of Brazil.
It has many variations and is also known as Black Bean Stew. It is also sometimes served with collard greens and kale or onion slices. Because of its nutritious value, it is one of the most popular dishes in the country.
The Folklore Festival.
Also known as the Parintins or Boi Bumba festival in local language, it can be safely pronounced as Brazil’s largest annual festival. A resurrected ox is the major attraction of this event, and many teams participate to retell the story. They try to be more impressive than the others to make it interesting for the spectators.
The festival lasts for three days, and it is held in June every year. The dance performances reflect not only the true Brazilian, but also the indigenous and other local cultures.
Offerings to the Goddess of the Sea.
During New Year celebrations, the Goddess of the Sea, also known as lemanja, is honored through different types of offerings. Many people take along fruit, candles and other things to the sea and offer it to the goddess.
This religious figure has its roots in the West African religion known as Candomble, which has now penetrated well into Brazilian traditions.
Samba Dancing.
Brazilian folk dance, known as Samba, is an important element of the culture in Brazil. Not only will you witness it at all major events like parades and festivals, but also find it being taught at some schools. It is both a genre of music and a type of dance, and it dates back to the 17th century.
People wear special costumes to perform this dance on events. Samba dancing is now considered part of Brazilian people’s identity, and they take pride in being able to perform it.
Sweet Avocado.
Brazilians like to drink avocado smoothies for health benefits, but they make it sweeter by adding sugar and honey. That is why it is considered customary in Brazil to eat avocado as a sweet fruit.
Brazilian avocado cream is a famous South American dessert mostly consumed in summer as breakfast. It is yet another unique dish that you will find on most Brazilian menus.
The Brazilian Churrasco.
Another name for a casual get-together or gathering of friends or family, Brazilians call it Churrasco. You can expect anything from endless chit-chat to an unlimited supply of smoky chicken swings, beef, cheese, pork sausages and much more.
You can also relate it to a barbecue event famous in North America and other parts of the world. People gather for an evening full of entertainment and delicious food freshly prepared by some of the members of the party.
The Bonfim Church.
The Church of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim is a famous Catholic Church located in Salvador. The end of January every year holds a tradition to wash the steps of this church as a religious rite, and many people participate in it from across the country. It has been estimated that about 800,000 people visit Salvador to attend this event.
In addition to these traditions, there are many other national and cultural festivals and rites that are unique to Brazilian people. If you are not sure when a certain event is going to be held, you can ask a local, and they will tell you everything about it.
There are days in Brazil when children are handed over toys and sweets as a tradition. Then there are certain dishes that are consumed as a local custom. Most of these traditions are quite intriguing, especially for the outsiders.
Conclusion.
Brazil is a country with a diverse and rich culture and a number of festivals and traditions that take place on a regular basis. These range from musical festivals and dance to sports and other national events. You will be able to witness many unique traditions and customs of Brazil that seem quite interesting.
Most of them have a history, which makes them even more intriguing especially for the outsiders. On some days, you will see people wearing only white; on others, you will notice them eating the same dish.
Then there are New Year’s celebrations held in the country like none other and gatherings that take place for pure entertainment.
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