incredibly cheerful, funny and sociable Brazilians love celebrations and are able to be happy and to celebrate their scope.So, unlike Christmas, spent with family and closest New Year traditions in Brazil require to meet outside the home in a noisy group of friends.On the eve of this merry holiday bright and colorful streets of large and small Brazilian cities are white.The reason for this is not the snow, which in this sultry country rarely seen, just office workers thrown from the windows of the old office paper, thus symbolizing the old year ended working.What else has the tradition of the New Year in Brazil and what they symbolize, describe in this article.
such a hot summer, and ...!
Since Brazil is in the Southern Hemisphere, December in it - one of the hot summer months.Already in November, local vendors sell peculiar tradition of the New Year around the multi-colored lights and garlands, artificial trees and other elements and symbols.Brazilians are happy to decorate all these decorations from their homes and offices, shop windows and streets.This stand for the decoration of the streets up to the famous Brazilian carnival, held in February.Given the hot tropical climate and summer, New Year celebrations in Brazil takes place on city streets and squares, as well as on the beautiful beaches.The traditional New Year's suit in Brazil is any wear white.
Euro-African motifs
celebration of the turn of the calendar year, like the Brazilian, it is impossible to imagine in any other country in the world.After all, it is closely intertwined and merged into a single culture of African, European and Native American beliefs, rituals, customs and traditions of the New Year in different countries.Officially adopted the name of the festival - Confraternização, which means in translation from Brazilian Portuguese "fraternization", but the locals caught his French name - Reveillon.Only in a festive New Year's Eve Brazilians ready to call each his friend, brother or sister, and want to forgive and forget all grudges and quarrels.
As in most countries, professing Catholicism, the New Year in Brazil traditionally receive congratulations from Santa Claus, which is called Papai Noel, no, because it a symbol of Christmas and fulfills its mission during this holiday - on 24 December.
Traditions
As noted above, Brazilians believe the New Year public holiday celebrated in the company of friends.Despite this, they have their own peculiar tradition of the New Year.As usual, and we love the chimes in the country is not all noisy and cheerful company assembled in the city streets, squares and beaches, loud ticking last moments before the next year.At midnight black sky effectively blooming fountains of fireworks, so the New Year in Brazil.Tradition dictates to everyone who wants to be happy and successful in the very first minute of his jump seven times and wish happiness in the coming year around.Brazilians also believe that if New Year's Eve to make a wish and eat twelve grapes, it will certainly come true.
Rituals
This festival is held according to both European and Indian traditions and customs, as well as African rituals are closely intertwined and form the basis of a theatrical action that takes place when the locals celebrate the New Year in Brazil.The scenario in the African celebration can be seen, above all, on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro.It is believed that the time when the old year out and the new is coming to replace him, is optimally suited for communication with spirits and meet them in order to soften the attitude of the people.
Catholic faith and African rituals have become part of the life of Brazilians, and each of them on the eve of the New Year trying to make sacrifices and to appease his personal saint - Oryx and sea goddess Lady lemanja.
What are these gods?
talk a little about who these lemanja and oryx.The fact that the Portuguese brought to Brazil many slaves from Africa and forcibly baptized them into the Catholic faith.Forced Africans had to observe all the religious precepts of the church and attend services.However, they did not want to abandon their traditional faith - Candomblé - and managed to keep it going.According to the concepts adopted in this religion, every person "looking after" the personal god or saint, called Oryx.
Legend has it that the lady of the seas lemanja - lovely woman with hair the color of creeping on the lunar surface of the sea lanes.She loves fun, dance and flowers.New Year traditions in Brazil require to begin with offerings of flowers and candles lemanja.Everyone who wants to worship the goddess of the sea sets on a special wooden stand-raft candles and fresh flowers, and make a wish, send it all into the sea.The longer burning candle sent into the sea, the greater the likelihood that the plans come true.If nails the raft back to shore, you will have a desire to repeat next year.Those who seek to get the best location of the African goddess raft decorated with mirrors and puts him sweets and rice, soap and perfume.Offerings formidable lemanja, lady marine waters, carried out by ritual prayers and singing, and are accompanied by a special dance.
Modern holiday
Also observed by African rituals, the modern New Year's Eve in Brazil is complete without a peaceful cannonade opened champagne and luxury pyrotechnic action.Copacabana Beach about a million locals and tourists watching the fireworks that run from special rafts installed in the sea.And Freitas lagoon on the background of a huge sculpture of the Savior, stretched out his hand over the city, the world's tallest floating Christmas tree - 82 meters - competes in brightness of lights with fireworks.But the city's streets and squares are not inferior to beaches and lagoons on the scale of the use of pyrotechnics.From the roofs and balconies of houses and hotels are pouring down the cascades of lights, and above it all flies a huge airship, where sound New Year greetings.
until the morning playing music, crowds like mad under the fiery tunes and start firecrackers and fireworks.
