1. The festivals in Brazil are colorful and festive and
draw a great number of people including visitors
from around the world. Each festival holds
meaning for the people of Brazil. Some festivals
are purely secular, whereas others have special
spiritual or religious significance. Each is unique
and interesting in its own right and worth taking the
time to experience!
3.
Festa de Iemanjá is celebrated on New Year's Day
following the New Year's Eve celebration in Rio de
Janeiro. This joyous festival takes place on the
beach where the Goddess of the Water, Iemanja,
is honored. There is singing along the beach and
small boats are filled with offerings of rice, gifts,
flowers, and perfume and then placed into the
water. The offerings are to thank her for all she has
done for the people in the past and for what she
will do in the future.
4. Cirio
de Nazare is an annual Catholic festival
that honors the Virgin of Nazareth. Nearly two
million people travel to Belem to participate in
this event on the second Sunday in October.
This festival is known around the world as
one of the largest and most popular Catholic
festivals in the world and in the country of
Brazil.
5.
The festival, Carnival Rio, is attended by a few million
people each year in Rio de Janeiro. It's one of the
most secular festivals in Brazil, but always well
attended. It takes place during the 5 days leading up to
Ash Wednesday. There's dancing, music, amazing
floats, food, and drink not only in the city of Rio, but
throughout the country. Dance the Samba, listen to all
kinds of Brazilian music, and enjoy the seemingly
never-ending sights and sounds that is the Carnival.
The days spent celebrating this festival are considered
national holidays throughout Brazil, so plan ahead shops won't be open for business.
