Why I Love All Things Brazil and Brazilian

Brazil is a fascinating country full of color and life. It is exotic. It has what the rest of the world does not. Brazil is enchanting, mesmerizing, wild, and civilized. The brazilian culture is as complex as any, perhaps even more so than most due to its vast diversity in history, culture, religions, landscape, creatures, peoples, and more.

The extremes in Brazil are wide, from wealthy to impoverished, from rain-forests to big cities, from brilliant colors, to camouflaged; everywhere you turn, an extreme juxtaposition can be found. It is because of these things, and more, that I find Brazil so fascinating.

Not all my Brazilian loves are shared here, but I think there's enough to make you fall in love, if you aren't already, with this amazing country. Enjoy.

The Brazilian national anthem, Hino Nacional Brsileiro, is NOT what I expected. It's rather charming and Victorian in its sound, and a bit patriarchal.

Between the time of its composition by Francisco Manuel da Silva in 1822, to the time it received its definitive lyrics 100 years later in 1922, Hino Nacional Brazsileiro had two other lyrical versions. However, it is not always performed with lyrics. Often times it is played in its orchestral instrumental version.

An interesting law is attached to the Brazilian national anthem. If the instrumental version is played, it is quite alright to stop after the first verse. However, should you choose to sing this anthem, you are required, by law, to sing both verses; you CANNOT quit after just one sung verse. This is one of the reasons you will more than likely hear the instrumental version played at sporting events - in a rush to start the party, one could say.

Here are two versions I found which I rather enjoyed. The first gives a nice edgy electric guitar played with the classic sound of the instrumental version. No lyrics involved but the ones you hear in this terrific guitar playing. The second clip features a cultured native sharing this song acapella, and according to a Brazilian reader, tuuky, she is making up her own lyrics. She's rather cute and I had to share her version with you.

SOME FACTS:

• Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world.
• The official language in Brazil is Portuguese
• The Brazilian flag (which is absolutely gorgeous) displays Brazil's motto proudly.
• Brazil's motto is "Ordem e Progresso" (Portuguese) which translates to "Order and Progress"
• Federative Republic of Brazil is Brazil's official name.
• Brazil's capital city is Brazilia.

• Brazil comes from the Portuguese and Spanish word, brasil, which means : the name of an East Indian tree with reddish-brown wood from which a red dye was extracted. The Portuguese found a New World tree related to the Old World brasil tree when they explored what is now called Brazil, and as a result they named the New World country after the Old World tree.

• The people of Brazil are predominantly Roman Catholic, though you will certainly find other religeons including Umbanada (see video to right), Jehovas Witness, Budhism, and more.
• The largest population of Japanese people (outside of Japan) live in Brazil.
• From 1500-1822, Brazil was colonized by Portugal.
• Brazil became independent on September 7, 1822, however their independence from Portugal was not recognized until August 29, 1825.
• Sugar from Brazil was a large and lucrative export for Portugal, until it was found nearer to Europe, and the price of sugar fell.
• Diamond and gold deposites were found in Brazil in the 18th century. Use of African and American Indian slaves were used as escavators. The monies from the diamonds and gold were mostly used to decrease Portugal's debt.
• Brazil's largest city is São Paulo, located in the Southeast region of São Paulo State.
• Brazil is made up of 5 regions and 26 states.
• The equator runs through Brazil.
• The climate of Brazil is mostly tropical, however Brazil is home to five climatic subtypes.
• There is more temperature fluctuation between night and day, than there is season to season.

• Football (or soccer as it's know in the United States) is the most popular sport in Brazil.

• The National Coctail of Brazil is Caipirinhas.

The Amazon Rainforest, the Atlantic Forest, and the Cerrado (the heartland of Brazil), make up the largest parts of Brazil.

The wildlife there is extremely diverse. It is estimated that these ecosystems hold approximately four million species, most found nowhere else in the world.

New species are discovered daily. Amazing and true.

The Cerrado used to be a wasteland. Thanks to thousands of scientists and agricultural advancement due to the determination of three men, the Cerrado is now abundant and fruitful. The transformation of this land disputes the need for ANY logging and clearcutting in the Amazon Rainforest. For more information click here to watch the video that explains it all: The 2006 World Food Prize Laureates: Lobato, McClung, Paolin.

Brazilians love to dance. They love carnivals. So it makes sense, then, that their largest and most internationally known and celebrated celebration is the Carnaval. Street parades, music, dance, food, costumes, wonderful crazy times, this festivity marks the beginning of lent, held 40 days before Easter, and is much like Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

As you can see from their costumes, while similar in style, they are as colorful and diverse as the peoples and creatures that inhabit this great country that is Brazil. Brazil is where the inspiration comes from. From here, and, well, the rest of the world.

Fantastic headdresses, makeup, sexy dancing shoes for the ladies (my personal favorites are the sexy but sturdy platform sandals; I must say I'd like a pair), flowing tails, feathers, and more comprise these glorious costumes that lift the spirits and inspire miraculous celebration. EVERYONE participates and celebrates in one way or another.

This celebration is so awesome it is mimiced around the world, from Japan to Hollywood, from Minnesota to Poland.

Famous Brazilian dances: Samba, Salsa, Capoeira.

Frieda's favorite Brazilian dance: You can often find Frieda doing the Salsa any time the mood strikes, and it does strike often despite her getting on in years.

Ah, the beauty and sensuality of a Brazilian cut cannot be beat. Brazilian panties are arguably the sexiest, loveliest, most comfortable of cuts, and comes in a variety of styles.

What exactly is a Brazilian cut? It is the same as any other, only utilizing less material. For a Brazilian boy short panty, for example, (my personal favorite,) one of its features is that there is a sexier peak at the hind area, offering more of a looksy (see the third photo to the right, which insidentaly is worn by a Brazilian model, Adriana Lima, the fourth highest paid model in the world).

Brazilian cuts are also known for their lack of panty line look, as seams are placed perfectly as to not show off the fact that you are wearing them. This is especially true when it comes to the thong.

Fashion designer, Rudi Gernreich was credited with introducing the first modern thong back in 1974. The thong was worn for many years by exotic Brazilian dancers and was very widely worn during the festivals. These tight, tiny thongs grew in popularity during the 80s in South America and were used as swimwear at the beaches. Its popularity and influence spread to various parts of the world in the late 90s.

Now, I am not a thong wearer, but this does explain the theory of less is more and the popularity of less material in Brazilian lingerie.

Let's face it. Brazil is a cult classic. A Pythonesque version of George Orwell's classic 1984. It's one of the best satires ever written, directed, and performed.

It has not much to do with the country of Brazil. The only thing Brazilian in it aside from its name, is the song, Brazil. But that is enough.

The song is the hope. The Brazil of the famous song of the same title is where all is well. It represents love, peace, excitement, the exotic, romance, the some day, the past, the moment, the escape of everyday life, of one day going back to all the pleasures, moments, memories, that are Brazil.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qteWkVmBGDg

 PLEASE WATCH THESE FOLLOWING CLIPS.  KEEP BRAZIL THE MIRACULOUS COUNTRY THAT IT IS. 

8 MINUTES OF A 52 MINUTE DOCUMENTARY. DOUBLE CLICK TO TAKE YOU TO YouTube FOR VIEWING IF YOU WISH TO, AS EMBEDDING Is DISABLED UPON REQUEST.

Shamans of the Amazon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NZpOXj6u78

Amazon Rainforest Forever http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COW943mgEMc