Page 15 - Talk of Tequesta - November '21

The Talk Of Tequesta, Page 15

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from agriculture. Today, Brazil
produces about 65 percent of
the world’s gems. Shoppers get
excellent prices on stones and
settings largely because stones
are not exported for cutting and
crafting.
The arrival of the Portuguese
Royal Family strengthened
nationalism in Rio de Janeiro in
1808, when Napoleonic troops
occupied Portugal. King John VI
remained in Brazil until 1821. In
1822, his son Dom Pedro became
Pedro I, the emperor of Brazil.
Pedro II began his rule in 1840.
During his reign there were great
economic expansions due to the
cultivation of coffee. He granted Brazil’s world-renowned Christ the Redeemer statue sits atop Corcoyado Mountain, overlooking the scenic city of Rio de Janeiro. Photo by Artyominc/
universal suffrage, abolished Wikimedia, Creative Commons License

slavery and secularized civil service, and in doing
so became so authoritarian that a military revolution
overthrew him and Brazil became a republic in 1889. The
last century has produced many changes in the direction
of the government and its leaders. In 1986, democracy
was ushered in, when José Sarney became the country’s
leader.
Ten of the world’s 20 largest rivers snake through the
Amazon Basin, which stretches from the Andes, home
of the continent’s highest peaks, east to the Atlantic
Ocean. Brazil is the largest country in South America;
its area covers 3.2 million square miles. Bordering every
country in South America except Chile and Ecuador,
Brazil contains nearly half the continent’s land mass and
60 percent of the Amazon rainforest.
Five distinct areas craft the profile of Brazil. They
are often described as the Amazonian North, Central
Jewel (Brasilia), Wealthy Southeast, Colonial Northeast
and the European South. The official language of Brazil
is Portuguese, but it is a variation of what’s spoken in
Portugal. One will also find that French, German and
Italian are widely spoken … English to a lesser degree.
The estimated 2019 population in Brazil is about 210
million* with approximately 10 percent of the population
living in Rio and São Paulo.** Catholicism is Brazil’s
largest religion, but they practice many other faiths.
Protestants, Jews, Evangelical Christians and followers
of spiritualist religions of Africa, such as Macumba and
Candomble, are also present in Brazil.
Brazil is a true melting pot of cultures. It is one of the
world’s most ethnically diverse countries – a fascinating
mixture of European, African and Indian influences. The
country still maintains South America’s largest population
of native people: about 180 tribes that speak 120 different
languages and dialects. The indigenous Indian culture
is evidenced in the country’s colorful handicrafts and
regional dishes. Ethnic diversity has separated the
peoples and Brazilians are not a homogeneous people.
The vibrant chords of the African culture are alive in the
nation’s samba music and highly spiced cuisine of Bahia.
However, as one might expect, not all Brazilians share
these characteristics.
When most think of Brazil, they immediately conjure
up images of Carnival, the ultimate party. Carnival is the
Oxbridge Academy kicks off its Football five-day pre-Lenten festival that engulfs the nation. It
program starting in Fall 2022. starts at midnight on the Friday before Ash Wednesday.
That same night, the major of Rio hands over the keys to
the city to the Rei Momo (King Momo, a grand marshall
of sorts). This provokes the rowdy street parties, with
scantily clad dancers that always excite the crowds.
An Oxbridge education goes beyond the classroom by encouraging Sunday and Monday are the Carnival parades of the
samba schools. During Carnival, shops are only open in
all students to participate in athletics and offering a well-rounded program the mornings, if at all.
that is an integral part of the Oxbridge experience. Rio’s visitors are somewhat dismayed to find that the
true “Carnival” parades, contest and glittering samba
shows are African celebrations. Other ethnic groups
Register for an Admission event to learn more at oapb.org/visit. participate only as spectators. Bleachers line the streets
for several blocks, holding the thousands of spectators
who watch the various samba clubs compete for honors.
There is plenty of live entertainment in both Rio and
São Paulo, with Forró (much like the tango) and samba
music, sleek showgirls and ornate headpieces. Many of
these presentations are in samba schools – a social club in
which dancers endlessly rehearse for the next Carnival. A
Celebrating 10 Years night in Rio may begin with dinner, but not before 9 p.m.
and often later, before the night on the town. Rio offers
AN INDEPENDENT, CO-EDUCATIONAL SCHOOL FOR GRADES 7-12 other nighttime outings, including the opera, jazz clubs,
concerts, theater and ballet. Plus their soccer stadiums
are almost always at maximum capacity – and for good
West Palm Beach, FL | admission@oapb.org | 561.972.9826 reason as they are five-time FIFA World Cup champions.

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