BRAZIL

BY: EMILY HAYES DUE: DEC 9TH (Week of Dec 6th)

MRS. JOHNSON 4TH GRADE PACE

FAMILY/CUSTOMS Good table manners is considered to be a sign of good social standings,

and education. They do not use their bare hands to pick up food including fruit such as apples and oranges. It is also considered rude for adults to eat in public.

People of Brazil often stay close to their extended family. In many families large Sunday meals are shared together.

Most Brazilians are Roman Catholics. The church plays and important part of their everyday life, medicine, and education.

MEALS/FOOD A weekly meal and the national dish is Feijoada (fay-jhoo-dah). Made

from black beans, rice, onions, ham, beef, chorizo, and pork. Usually served with a side of greens and orange slices.

Coffee is Brazil’s national drink. It is required at all social events. It is usually brewed very strong and served in small cups with lots of sugar.

Lunch is usually the main or largest meal of the day. Many employers give extended lunches to allow employees to enjoy this meal at home. Breakfast is usually something small. A late dinner is usually eaten around 8:30 p.m. Many people have what is called a lanche (lan-che). Which is a light snack between lunch and dinner.

GEOGRAPHYCLIMATE

The Amazon Rainforest in Brazil is the largest tropical rain forest. It has more species of plants and animals than anywhere else on the planet.

Brazil shares borders with ten other counties of South America . In South America Brazil is the largest country. Brazil has many forms of landscape. It contains rainforests, mountains, dry plains and beaches.

In Brazil winter begins in July and Summer starts in January. This is because the equator runs though the northern part of Brazil. The temperatures stay around 80*F most of the year.

HISTORY People lived in Brazil long before it was discovered in 1500. When

Portuguese sailors arrived in Brazil they found several million indigenous people. These people lived in small communities and fished, farmed, and hunted the land. Archaeologists believed that Brazil had about 1,000 different indigenous groups. Today they make up about 1% of Brazil’s population.

France invaded Portugal in 1807. Prince Joao was the ruler of Portugal at this time. In 1808 he escaped to Brazil. He ran his empire from Brazil for 13 years.

In 1888 a person named Pedro ll ended slavery. This upset a lot of plantation owners and military leaders. This group overthrew Pedro ll. Because of this on November 15, 1889, Brazil became a republic.Members of Brazil's Assurini do Tocantins Tribe

FESTIVALS Lemanja (la-men-ja) festival is celebrated on Dec 31st every year. Lemanja

means goddess of the sea. People dress in white and bring gifts of flowers to the sea.

Carnival is held between February and March, as the start of Lent. It is a celebration of spring and rebirth. Streets are filled with Samba dancers and brightly colored costumes.

The feast of Saint Anthony, John, and Peter is celebrated in June. It is called Festa Juanina (wa-nina). They have bonfires and a mock wedding. People dress in costumes and dance.

SCHOOL In Brazil education is free. Children between the ages of 7 – 14 must

attend school. Some children go to private schools. There are also remote areas of Brazil that do not have schools.

Not everyone completes school in Brazil. In poor families children leave school around the age of 10 to begin working or to stay at home to help with younger children. 1 out of 4 adults cannot read or write.

Children around the age of 15 can attend secondary school. This schooling lasts for 3 years. Only about 40% of those over the age of 15 enroll in secondary school.

CLOTHING Traditional Brazilian clothing is a mix of Portuguese and African cultures.

Other influences came from immigrants. Mostly from Spain, Germany, Italy, and Japan.

During Carnival costumes come in every shape and size. They are usually brightly colored. Carnival clothing is like no other in the world.

Most of Brazil’s population today dress just as you and I do. Jeans and t-shirts are very common.

MY FAVORITE THINGS ABOUTBRAZIL

I like that Brazil is close to the equator. The temperature stays warm all year around. Brazil also grows these wonderful nuts called Brazil nuts, which I love. I also like that they have festivals like Carnival. Because Carnival is like our Mardi Gras we have here in Mobile. But it is much bigger. I thought it was neat that a lot of people from Brazil are Roman Catholics. I am Catholic too.

REFERENCES• Take a Trip To Brazil By: Keith Lye Franklin Watts Limited 1983• Cultures of The World Brazil By: Chistopher Richard/ Leslie Jermyn Times Media Private Limited 1990• A True Book Brazil By: Tara Walters Scholastic Inc. 2008• Countries of the World By: Zilah Deckker National Geographic• Country Fact Files Brazil By: Marion Morrison RainTree Steck-Vaughn 1994

Brigdieros (b-dear-oos)(Brazilian Candy)

1 (14 ounce) cans sweetened condensed milk 1 tablespoon butter 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 2 tablespoons chocolate-flavor Nestle Nesquik powder 1 tablespoon sugar chocolate sprinkles, to garnish

DirectionsIn a heavy sauce pan, over medium-low heat, stir all ingredients constantly. Cook till mixture thickens enough to show bottom of pan while stirring. Pour into greased dish and cool to room temperature. Take small amount with a teaspoon and roll into ball shape. Roll in Sprinkles to garnish. *****hint*grease hands to prevent stickiness. If balls do not hold shape return to saucepan and cook additional 5 minutes.