{"id":1471,"date":"2015-12-29T15:00:26","date_gmt":"2015-12-29T20:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.oxfordseminars.com\/blog\/?p=1471"},"modified":"2017-01-12T09:39:09","modified_gmt":"2017-01-12T14:39:09","slug":"how-to-celebrate-new-years-brazil-style","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.oxfordseminars.com\/blog\/how-to-celebrate-new-years-brazil-style\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Celebrate New Year’s Brazil Style"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the largest landmass of South America and nearly half of the population of all of South America, Brazil<\/a> is a colorful mix of history, race and traditions. Being one of the largest countries in the world, Brazil has big cities and big destinations<\/a> whose names are legendary. The Amazon dominates the northern part of the country, which contains the world’s largest tropical forest park,\u00a0Tumucumaque National Park<\/a>. The city of Sao Paulo<\/a> is one of the largest cities in the world and is in the same southeast region as Rio de Janeiro<\/a>, one of the more colorful destinations to live. From the resource-heavy rainforest to the tropical savanna to the beautiful coastlines, Brazil <\/a>is a breathtaking land with so much to explore and learn about as an ESL teacher.<\/p>\n

\"Fireworks<\/a>

Fireworks from Copacabana beach, Rio de Janeiro. Photo by Leandro Neumann Ciuffo on Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n

It’s only fitting that such a rich land would have a corresponding history and tradition to match. None more well-known and visited than Ano Novo or Reveillon,\u00a0the country’s New Year’s celebration, in Rio de Janeiro.<\/p>\n

This holiday is celebrated around the world, of course, but there are traditions woven into the experience that make it more than just a marking of time passing. In Brazil, Reveillon has significance, from what you wear to what you eat and do.<\/p>\n

Because of a heavy influence of Umbanda<\/a>\u00a0and Candomble<\/a>,\u00a0two different but similar religions that combined with Catholicism and Spiritism, brought over by the African slaves, the practices and traditions held on New Year’s are steeped in mysticism and spiritual beliefs.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>

A worshiper praying to Yemanja, goddess of the ocean. Photo by Vince Alongi on Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n

For instance, in the religion, there is a goddess named Iemanja, or\u00a0Yemanja, whose “celestial body<\/a>” is the ocean. It is\u00a0important to appease her with gifts such as flowers on New Year\u2019s Day, or\u00a0the day before, light candles and throw flowers toward the sea.\u00a0It\u2019s said that if the goods were sent back, they were not accepted.<\/p>\n

It is also considered good luck to jump over 7 different waves while making New Year\u2019s\u00a0wishes (it is also said that if not at the beach in Rio, you can jump 3 times with your right foot). Fortunately, for Brazil, the New Year is celebrated during their summer, so wave-jumping feels good. This is not a polar bear plunge<\/a>\u00a0situation,\u00a0so you won’t have to worry about the cold interfering with your good luck efforts.<\/p>\n

Another tradition involves the clothes one wears. The base color you’ll wear to a celebration is white. Beyond that, you can wear different colors to attract different luck:<\/a><\/p>\n