(Between religious and cultural celebrations, several typical festivals in Brazil are recognised worldwide and attract thousands of tourists every year)
Brazil is a country well known for its cultural diversity. Due to the great territorial extent and influence of immigrants on the country, a diverse patchwork of dialects, religions, beliefs, folklore and festivals have developed across the nation. These uniquely Brazilian festivals attract many tourists and are great opportunities to experience the culture in Brazil. Here are some of the most famous celebrations:
1. Festa de Iemanjá
The Festa de Iemanjá is one of the key religious festivals that that make up the Afro-Brazilian calendar. In this celebration, the religions of Candomblé and Umbanda honour the African deity and goddess of the sea, Iemanjá. This celebration occurs on more than one date due to the difference of syncretism between the faiths; but the official date is February 2nd, the day of Our Lady of the Navigators. The festivities take place across practically all the Brazilian coast, but it is in Salvador where the date stands out.
The Rio Vermelho neighbourhood in Salvador is the scene where the festival takes place, which is considered to be the largest religious celebration of Candomblé throughout Bahia. Participants in this celebration are visitors from the terreiros (places where the religious acts happen), fishermen and the population itself, in a tribute to Iemanjá that involves all kinds of offerings, such as flowers, perfumes and jewellery amongst others. On that occasion, requests, thanks and honours are made.
2. Carnival
Carnival is the most popular celebration in Brazil and comes from the ancient Roman Empire and Christian traditions. It started as a celebration before the Quaresma, a period of abstinence and reflection, marking a tradition brought to Brazil in colonial times.
The celebration occurs every year between February and March, beginning on Friday and finishing on Tuesday, before Ash Wednesday. During Carnival, there are many intense activities and events, with an effervescent atmosphere on Brazilian streets, culminating in a show of colour, music and dance.
Celebrations and Carnaval traditions
Samba school parades
The samba school parades in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro have become one of the main attractions of the Brazilian Carnaval. It probably started in the main neighborhoods of these cities and then spread with the popularization of Carnaval.
The spectacle is categorized by elaborate choreographies, historical plots and stunning floats. The competition is consolidated as one of the major expressions of Carnaval, attracting millions of spectators every year.
Street Carnaval
Is impossible to talk about this event and not mention the street Carnaval which encompasses a group of people who, together, parade along predetermined routes following a Carnival band or an electric trio.
Known for its playful atmosphere, the Carnival street party is celebrated by people from different origins, ages and places.
Olinda Carnival and Galo da Madrugada
One of the biggest traditional parades of Brazilian Carnival takes place in Olinda, located 10 km from Recife, capital of Pernambuco state. During the holidays, the city attracts millions of people with creative and colourful costumes and everybody follows the electric trios and massive folkloric puppets.
Galo da Madrugada is another party that has taken place on the streets of Recife since 1978, where more than 2 million people from every corner of Brazil celebrate and dance samba, frevo, maracatu and caboclinho together.
Salvador Carnaval
Some people say that the real Carnaval happens in Salvador, where the community celebrates with afro and axé music, and is a reference of the antiracist movement, festive circuits, street carnival and electric trios.
The celebration is inspired by Olodum and Timbalada manifestations and is always good fun, with the main purpose being to connect regional and national cultural aspects.
3. Junina Party
Celebrated since the beginning of the 17th century, the Junina Party, also known as São João and Quermesse, is a pagan commemoration blended with catholic elements. The festivity is considered the second biggest celebration in Brazil, second only to Carnaval.
Due to its high popularity, this party can take place in many locations, such as schools, churches, over a friend’s house, or even rural places, such as in fields or farms. The celebration is called “Junina” because it happens in the month of June.
The Junina party is celebrated with plenty of typical food, drink and music, especially forró and quadrilha, a type of dance that role plays how a marriage would be in a rural community, always with a bonfire in the middle of affairs.
The biggest São João party happens in Campina Grande, Paraíba, located in Brazil’s Northeast. This huge party attracts millions and millions of people every year. It is one of the most crowded and important events of the country.
4. Bumba Meu Boi
This is a typical Brazilian festival that dates back to back to ancient folklore in the country. There are several versions of the story, but the most common is that of a slave who kills his boss’ favourite ox to satisfy his pregnant wife, who desires to eat ox-tongue. To avoid the boss’ wrath, the slave must resuscitate the ox with the help of healers.
The commemoration is also known as Boi-Bumbá, and occurs during the months of June and July, having great prominence and popularity in the north and northeast of the country. The festivities include dance, music, parades and theatrical performances, relying on the rhythm played on instruments such as guitar, triangle, zabumba and matraca.
In 2012, the Bumba Meu Boi was included by IPHAN (National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute) on a list of Cultural Heritage of Brazil, and since begun to have its own date: the National Day of Bumba Meu Boi, celebrated on June 30.
Parintins Festival
The Parintins Festival happens in the last weekend of June in Parintins, Amazon. It’s a typical popular celebration in the North, marked with the folkloric representation of two rival bulls: Garantindo and Caprichoso.
Similar to Carnaval, this festival has a captivating plot, engaging rhythms, a flag-bearer and a folklori queen, reminiscent of samba school parades. However, the real focus is to rescue myths and legends from the Amazon Forest’s past.
Besides the bovine rivalry, the Parintins Festival has the representation of “Bumba meu Boi”, another traditional party in the Northern region. This typical celebration offers an unique experience, unifying the rich folkloric culture of the Amazon and the contagious energy of local festivities.
6. Festival da Cachaça
Initially known as the Pinga Festival, this typical Brazilian festival was created with the aim of celebrating the only industrial product in the Paraty region to date: cachaça, a distilled alcoholic beverage obtained from sugarcane. The event is centred on the main types of cachaça from the region, as well as a significant music lineup.
In addition, during the festival, there is also an intense programme of cultural and gastronomic activities, which seeks to enhance the method of production of cachaça, caiçara culture and local gastronomy. The entrance to the event is free, and it is one of the largest cachaça festivals in the country, having even received the International Creative City Label for Gastronomy, granted by UNESCO in 2017.
7. Cirio de Nazaré
Held in Belém, capital of Pará, Círio de Nazaré stands out as one the world’s biggest and most magnificent catholic processions. With this tradition taking place over the last two centuries, the celebration brings together about 2 million devotees on a thrilling walk in homage to Nossa Senhora de Nazaré, the mother of Jesus. There is also a boat crossing.
The Círio de Nazaré happens every second week of October, when pilgrims walk from the Belém Cathedral to the Santuário de Nazaré Square. When they arrive there, an image of the saint is placed down and is left there for 15 days, to be venerated by the community. They also show gratitude, pay homage and make wishes. During the march, the devotees carry emblematic objects, such as marble, rope, or a cloak, as well as flowers, posters and rosaries.
This celebration is so important it has been recognized as Cultural Patrimony of Immaterial Nature by the National Historical and Artistic Patrimony Institute.
Congada
Congada is a cultural and religious festival of Brazilian folklore. It’s a procession/parade related to Angolan and Congolese tradition, mixed together with popular catholicism elements.
This celebration contemplates these elements with dance and acting, paying homage to Nossa Senhora do Rosário, São Benedito and Santa Efigênia, the saints responsible for protecting the slaves in the past. Chico Rei and the battle between christians and the moors are also represented.
The Congada happens from the North to the South of Brazil and doesn’t have a specific date, but usually takes place in May, October and December.
Among gastronomic, cultural and musical events, there are thousands of typical festivals in Brazil that attract the attention of tourists throughout the year, and offer the opportunity to have fun and experience different sights, flavors and sounds. Furthermore, thanks to the large number of people who attend these festivals, each experience provides a different interaction, generating unique experiences.
