New year's in Brazil: the tradition of celebrating

Incredibly cheerful, cheerful and sociable Brazilians are very festive and can with pleasure and panache to celebrate. So, unlike Christmas, held in the circle of family and close, the New year in Brazil traditions require to meet outside the home, in the noisy company of friends. On the eve of this fun holiday bright and colourful streets of large and small Brazilian cities are white. The reason is not the snow in this hot country few have seen, just office workers thrown from the Windows of old paper, thus symbolizing that the old working year ended. What other traditions of the New year is in Brazil and what they represent, will be discussed in this article.

So hot and…!

As Brazil located in the southern hemisphere, December in it is one of the hot summer months. Since November, local traders sell typical of the tradition of the New year in different countries colorful garlands and lights, artificial trees and other elements and symbols. Brazilians love to decorate all this decor their homes and offices, storefronts and streets. In the decoration of the streets will stand up to the famous Brazilian carnivals held in February. Considering the hot tropical climate and summer, New year's celebration in Brazil takes place on city streets and squares as well as beautiful beaches. Traditional Christmas costumes in Brazil is any garment of white color.

European-African motifs

The Celebration of the new calendar year that is similar to the Brazilian, it is impossible to imagine in any other country in the world. It is here closely intertwined and merged into a single culture of the African, Indian and European beliefs, rituals, customs and traditions of New year in different countries. Officially accepted name for this holiday is Confraternizaç&são;o, which means in translation from Brazilian Portuguese “consorting”, but locals caught him a French name — Reveillon. Only a festive new year's eve Brazilians are ready to call everyone your friend, brother or sister and want to forget and forgive all grudges and quarrels.

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As in most countries, professing Catholicism, the New year in Brazil is a tradition to receive congratulations from Santa Claus, which here is called Papai Noel, no, because he is a symbol of Christmas and fulfill its mission during this holiday December 24.

Traditions

As mentioned above, the Brazilians believe the New year is a public holiday celebrated in the company of friends. Despite this, they have their own peculiar traditions of the New year. As a familiar and favorite chimes in this country, all noisy and cheerful company gathered in the city streets, squares and beaches, out loud count down the last moments until the next year. In the midnight black sky is decked with fountains of fireworks to celebrate the New year in Brazil. Traditions require everyone who wants to be happy and successful, in the very first minute of his jump seven times and wish you happiness in the coming year to others. Also the Brazilians are confident that if new year's eve to make a wish and eat twelve grapes, then it will surely come.

Rituals

This festival is held according to both European and American Indian traditions and customs, and African rituals, which are closely intertwined and are the Foundation of theatrical action that unfolds, when the locals celebrate the New year in Brazil. The scenario of the celebration of the African can be seen, first of all, on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro. It is believed that a time when the old year goes and the new comes to replace him, is best suited to communicate with spirits and meet them in order to soften the attitude of the people.

The Catholic faith and the African rituals are deeply ingrained in the lives of Brazilians, and each of them in anticipation of the upcoming New year tries to offer sacrifice and appease his personal Holy – Oryx and Maritime lady, the goddess Iemanja.

What are these gods?

Tell you a Bit about who these Iemanja and Oryx. The fact that the Portuguese brought to Brazil many slaves from Africa and forcibly baptized them in the Catholic faith. Indentured Africans had to observe all religious precepts of the Church and go to services. However, they did not want to abandon their traditional religion - candomblé - and managed to keep it. According to the views taken in this religion, each person had “watching” a personal God or a Saint, called Oryx.

Legend has it that the lady of the seas Iemanja – beautiful woman with hair the color creeping on the sea surface of the moon tracks. She likes fun, dancing and flowers. New year in Brazil traditions require to start with offerings of flowers and candles Iemanja. Everyone to worship the sea goddess sets in a special wooden stand-raft candles and fresh flowers and making a wish, sending it all into the sea. The longer burns sent to sea candle, the more likely it is thatwill come true. If the raft washes back to shore, the wish will need to repeat the following year. Those who seek to obtain the maximum location of the African goddess, decorate the float, mirrors, and stacks of sweets and rice, soap and perfume. Offerings Iemanja fearsome, lady of the sea waters, carried the ritual prayers and singing, and are accompanied by special dances.

Modern holiday

In addition to observe African rituals, the modern meeting of the New year in Brazil is not complete without the peace of the cannonade, opened champagne and luxury pyrotechnic action. On the beaches of Copacabana, about a million locals and tourists watching the fireworks launched from special rafts installed in the sea. And in Freitas lagoon in the background of a huge sculpture of the Saviour stretches out its arms above the city, the world's tallest floating tree 82 meters - competes in brightness of lights with fireworks. But the city streets and squares are not inferior to the beaches and lagoons in the extent of the use of pyrotechnics. From the roofs and balconies of the houses and hotels are pouring down cascades of lights, and above it all flies a huge blimp from sound of new year greetings.

Until the morning the music plays, the crowds danced under stirring melodies and launch fireworks and fireworks.