Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Mulattoes
, born of black and white
parentage, make up at least half the popu-
lation. Prominent in music, sports, and the
arts, famous Brazilian mulattoes include
pop music icon Gilberto Gil
(see p32)
and
professional soccer player Ronaldo.
Baianas
are recognizable in their lace dresses with
colorful beads that represent the various
orixás
, or
Afro-Brazilian deities
(see p177)
. Baianas play an
integral role in keeping alive the Afro-Brazilian
traditions that came to Brazil, especially in the
slave ships from Angola and Nigeria.
Japanese Brazilians
(see p169)
are mainly descended
from immigrants who came to Brazil around 1908 as
laborers. There are numerous Buddhist and Shinto
shrines around Brazil, and the Japanese influence can
be seen in the art scene and in the popularity of its cui-
sine. São Paulo City's Liberdade district is home to the
largest Japanese community outside of Japan.
CARIOCAS & PAULISTANOS
Residents of Brazil's two largest cities,
Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, have
successfully stereotyped themselves and
each other. The fun-loving Cariocas of
Rio are seen as too easy-going by the
Paulistanos of São Paulo, whom the
Cariocas regard as workaholics with no
zest for life. Paulistanos see their city as
the economic force driving Brazil, while
Rio is considered to be a playground for
Carnaval
(see pp64-5)
. The self-image of
Cariocas is that they have better music
and more beautiful people. The Paulistanos, on the other hand, take pride in their dili-
gent nature and the distinct cadence of their spoken Portuguese. The key difference
really revolves around beach life. Rio's long stretch of trendy beaches forms a vital part
of the city's daily life
(see pp38-9)
. The beaches around São Paulo, on the other hand,
demand the weekend to enjoy, being at least 40 miles (65 km) away from the city.
Cariocas frolicking on Copacabana beach, Rio City
