Brazilian Culture – A Natural Spirituality
One of the greatest delights for me about being in Brazil was that I could talk to almost anyone about God. Unlike in the U.S. where speaking about spiritual matters is considered controversial, or makes people uncomfortable, in Brazil it was very natural.
People would ask me “why did you come to Brazil?” and I realized that I could be truthful. I replied “Deus me mandou” (God called me), and in response I received a knowing and reverent look to the heavens. That was really something for me to experience!
I can’t tell you what a jolt it was for me to return to the U.S. and encounter a very different consciousness. On my first trip back to the U.S. from Brazil, an irate and very entitled American in the New York airport was loudly yelling about his lost luggage. I felt really embarrassed to be an American at that point!
More on Brazilian Culture
Here are some more of the most amazing and unique aspects of Brazilian culture that you will want to know about, especially if you are considering visiting there!
Brazilian People
Brazil is home to more than 194,000,000 people (an approximate figure as of 2010) whose ancestors come from all over the world. Like the United States, Brazil is a nation of immigrants. Brazilians are an ethnically diverse people with ancestors from Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and North America.
Many people in Brazil have intermarried and so there are many people of diverse, multi-ethnic backgrounds. More than half the population is of European descent, about 40% are of mixed African and European descent.
Brazil was a colony of Portugal from 1500 until 1815. They became independent in 1822.
People who live in Brazil are known as brasileiros, (Portuguese for “Brazilians”) and most were born there, although it is also possible to become a naturalized citizen after living in Brazil for 15 consecutive years and learning to speak Brazilian Portuguese.
Foreigners who are from a Portuguese speaking nation such as Portugal, Mozambique or Cape Verde (no name just a few) are eligible to apply to be a naturalized citizen after only a year in Brazil.
People from Portugal who are living in Brazil are granted the rights of Brazilian citizens, according to the Brazilian constitution.
Now, each of us is a beautiful, unique individual, and at the same time, we are part of the family and the country we were born into. I met thousands of Brazilians while I was living in Brazil, and although they were each unique, there were some things I felt about the Brazilian culture and people as a whole.
In my experience, the Brazilian people are warm, generous and heart centered. People are more important than things. Relationships matter, and take precedence.
Brazilians are extremely hard working, although things get done there differently than in the U.S. You won’t find a lot of punctuality in Brazil unless you are in Sao Paolo, which seems more attuned to the “western” ways.
You will spend a lot of time waiting, and you need to simply accept this, and learn to let go and to trust the “flow” of how things happen there.
For me I found the “caos” (chaos) of how things get done in Brazil quite a challenge at first, until I surrendered to it. I found some relief when I was in Sao Paolo for a short time!
I also found the Brazilian people to be optimistic, and that many have a faith in God that sustains them through many difficulties. I learned a great deal from this, as I have always tended to a more despairing attitude. This changed when I was in Brazil.
Although it is impossible to generalize, since Brazil is a very large country and things vary from region to region, in general this was my experience.
Learn more: http://www.celebratebrazil.com/brazilian-culture.html#ixzz2A8tb2UCu
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