Characteristics of Brazilian culture: what makes a multicultural country

[A black man with shaved hair and a red T-shirt is highlighted at the center of the image playing a trumpet. Around him are several people with costumes and faces painted for Carnival.]

Defining Brazilian culture is not a simple task. Since its beginnings, Brazil has been marked by an intense confluence and a great mixture of ethnicities, customs, dialects and creeds that, together, make up the characteristics of Brazilian culture.

With a territory stretching across more than 8 million square kilometers, Brazil is made up of 27 states. Each of these states has its particularities – from food and climate to the characteristics of the local population – almost like several different small countries in one. The country is immense not only in size, but also in cultural wealth.

Check out some of the main, very interesting characteristics of this tropical country:

[Several long, thin candles, lit against a dark background.]

Although the great majority of the population is Catholic, Brazil is an openly secular country, with open spaces for different religious manifestations. A strong characteristic of Brazilian culture is the presence of multiple religions, the result of the encounter of different cultures.

According to data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), approximately 54% of the Brazilian population is black. Through the immigration – often forced – of people from the African continent, religious practices such as candomblé and umbanda were brought to Brazil, becoming very popular in the northeast region of Brazil. While not unanimous, it is undeniable that religions of African origin have left a very strong mark on the country’s origins.

In addition, evangelicals, spiritualists and Jews are also among the main religious groups present in Brazil.

[A halfway-open book, on a wooden table and in front of a white wall.]

When the Portuguese arrived in Brazil in 1500, kicking off the colonial era, native groups were already well-established in the country. They represent the heart of the country, and the mixture of local languages with Portuguese spoken in Portugal resulted in the language we speak today in Brazil. It’s a little-known fact that several words used in the Brazilian vocabulary today were inherited from indigenous or African languages – such as “pipoca”, “cafuné”, “guaraná”, “caju” and “moleque”.

[Several people with costumes and faces painted for Carnival.]

One of the other notable characteristics of Brazilian culture are the different manifestations of local cultures which extend across Brazil’s many regions.

Carnival is perhaps the most well-known, uniting the whole country in the same celebration – but with particularities in each of state. While São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro are marked by the iconic parades of the samba schools and the “street blocks”, Recife plays host to the frevo and the famous Bonecões de Olinda. The historic cities of Minas Gerais, such as Ouro Preto and Diamantina, are marked by revelry led by students, who organize parties in the streets. Amazonas also has its unique celebration: Carnaboi, a blend of carnival and folklore. And finally, Bahia is known for the trio elétricos that run its cities during Carnival.

Folklore is another very strong characteristic of Brazilian culture – a mix of popular cultural expressions that represent the national identity, and are passed from generation to generation. Legends of mythical creatures drive Brazilians’ imagination, such as Iara the mermaid, Curupira the protector of fauna and flora, the curse of the Headless Mule, the Pink Dolphin and the notorious Saci Pereré.

Cordel literature is also a manifestation of popular Brazilian culture, originating in the countryside of the Northeast – particularly the states of Pernambuco, Alagoas and Ceará. This type of literature is marked by its oral tradition, the presence of typically Brazilian cultural elements, and its adherence to verse, almost like a poem. Printed on leaflets and in the form of small books, the covers feature unique woodcut illustrations, and are usually hung and displayed on strings (“cordas”) – hence the name. João Grilo, the main character of the famous Brazilian film “O Auto da Compadecida”, is originally from cordel literature.

[A white square dish containing three tapiocas stuffed with yellow cheese.]

Last but not least, local cultures are also expressed through typical foods from each region. Within Brazil it is possible to take a trip through widely contrasting flavors.

In the South, nothing is more typical than a good barbecue and mate. The latter is a mixture of herbs and boiling water in a gourd, and is also drunk in neighboring Latin American countries. Carreteiro rice – a mixture of rice and beef jerky – can also be found here and in the Midwest region. In the Pantanal it is common to consume this dish at all hours, even for breakfast.

The Southeast region is known for its diversity: feijoada, pão de queijo, brigadeiro, pastry, pizza, coxinha, torresmo, tutu de feijão and moqueca capixaba are all local favourites. With all sorts of delicacies originating from the arrival of immigrants to this region, it is possible to find a little bit of everything, especially in São Paulo.

Fish are the cornerstone of Northeastern cuisine. One of the most typical dishes is acarajé, a deep-fried batter of black-eyed peas stuffed with vatapá, shrimp and vinaigrette. Sweets such as rapadura, cocada and quindim are also popular, as are the typical fruits of this region (siriguela, cashew, cajá and jambo).

Finally, the Northern region is known for the flavours of its freshwater fish and roots. Caldeirada de tucunaré (fish), duck in tucupi, tacacá, tapioca and açaí are the main dishes that you must try to get to know a little more of the local cuisine. Unlike elsewhere in Brazil, açaí is eaten in savoury form here.

Through this unique gastronomy, made up of an explosion of ingredients and flavors, it is possible to get a taste of the characteristics of Brazilian culture.