In order to describe the reasons of the migration to Canudos it is important to understand what Canudos was and was not. The population of Canudos was not a group of religious fanatics that came together to throw off their oppressors. Instead it was a group of people seeking a viable and dignified existence in a time of economic and spiritual alienation. The people of Canudos were not a homogenous group of barbaric savages, but a cross section of the sertanejo population (Levine p.158). While Canudos did threaten the labor supply of the oligarchy and supported the monarchy, it was not violent in nature. It attracted such a wide range of followers because the main purpose was not to undermine the political or economic order, but to provide survival and safety for pious Christians. The development of Canudos can be seen as a "desperate, yet eminently practical, collective decision to escape intolerable conditions" (Levine p.65).
The republic of Brazil was heavily influenced by positivism, which demanded order and progress. The liberal elite focused so heavily on progress that the underlying social problems of Brazil were ignored. The rural majority was marginalized and faced unemployment, drought, and a reforming state. The choice to defy the state and live in the community of Canudos was made because it offered a lifestyle that was out of reach elsewhere in the backlands. While Canudos was inspired by religion, it had several principal attractions that were socially based. Foremost, Canudos offered a sense of safety and order in a deteriorating environment. The high number of ex slaves is an example of this. With the abolishment of slavery, there was an immediate increase in the mobility of that population. With its geographic isolation it provided a safe place for them to go, opportunity, and a place to hide in case slavery was reestablished.
The most significant cause of the migration to Canudos lies in religion. While Vale of Tears makes clear the diversity of the pulls of Canudos, the attraction that precipitated migration for a large sector was Christianity. It was the heart of Christian belief, the focus on the immortal soul after death that represents the most prevalent reason for the move to Canudos. The prominence of the notion of individual, and not collective, salvation in the ideas of Conselheiro is crucial to understanding the attraction for such a diverse population (Levine p.
One of the most interesting aspects of Diaz’s narrative is towards the end when Cortés broaches the subject of Christianity with Montezuma. Conversion and missionary work was one of the most important and lasting goals of the conquistadors and other contemporary explorers, they were charged with this duty by the rulers who sent t...
The study of religion is often a rigorous process because the central tenets of the subject: image, ritual, and myth are often copious in their complexity. For example, consider the multiple meanings that are inherent in the image of a crucifix. Some Christians might view it as an image of suffering, whilst others would reject that notion and instead perceive it to be one of love. These differences may seem inconsequential at first, but they can overtime shape the beliefs of an individual and by extension a community. To understand this dynamic better one only has to analyze the Christo Aparecido (Christ Appeared), an authentic Mexican crucifix with a fascinating history from the colonial era to the present. This history is made known by the text, Biography of a Mexican Crucifix: Lived Religion and Local Faith from the Conquest to the Present by Jennifer Hughes, from which I contend that over the life of the Christo Aparecido there continues to be an understanding among devotees that this crucifix is sacred because it displays animus while being a vestige for the sacred to occupy. To support my position I will attempt to relate the moments where the Christo Aparecido is said to show signs of life, in particular his stay in Mexico City during the colonial era and his role in more modern times with rival groups clashing over its efficacy in the village of Totolapan.
The purpose of this paper is to recognize, study and analyze the race relations in Brazil. Race relations are relations between two groups of different races; it is how these two different races connect to each other in their environment. Since Brazil is racially diverse, this study is focused on how Brazilians relate to each other. Throughout the essay, it will become clear that there exists a conflict between two race groups. Afro-Brazilians and White-Brazilians are not connected and though these two groups converse with each other, discrimination still lies within the society. This discrimination has created inequality within the society for Afro-Brazilians. Thus, this paper will not only focus on racism and discrimination that Afro-Brazilians experience because of White-Brazilian, but also on the history of Brazil, the types if discrimination that Afro-Brazilian must endure today and how the media creates discrimination.
The discourse of self-definition in Brazil is based on perceptions of economic success, material value and social prestige. Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, there was a general scramble to reconstruct individual identity in social success and achievement. “Assertions of moral and cultural (class and racial) superiority” make up the discourses of national and regional identity, while simultaneously setting up the social building blocks of discrimination and stratification (25). Through the strange consumption of not only goods, but the commodification of experiences, the Brazilian middle class sought to redefine their lives and social status, and ultimately create a world that thrives on social division and prejudice.
The progression of people into and within the United States has had an essential impact on the nation, both intentionally and unintentionally. Progressions such as The Great Migration and the Second Great Migration are examples of movements that impacted the United States greatly. During these movements, African Americans migrated to flee racism and prejudice in the South, as well as to inquire jobs in industrial cities. They were unable to escape racism, but they were able to infuse their culture into American society. During the twentieth century, economic and political problems led to movements such as The Great Migration and The Second Great Migration which impacted the United States significantly.
Throughout the human history, there is a movement of peoples from one place to another. Migrations can be voluntary or involuntary because some migrations are done willingly, while others are done under coercion. Migrations intend to settle temporally or permanently in a new location depending on their circumstances. This paper will determine the explanation of migrations in the medieval period based on the activities of three different civilizations. It will examine the main potential reasons why there were movements of people from one place to another during the medieval times. Also, analyze what are the effects and outcome of these migrations. Furthermore, it will argue that physical forces factors such as economic, social, political and
The migration experience is one that has deeply altered and affected the lives of many peoples, including Mexicans and specifically Putlecans. Some say that the vast numbers of these people who decide to migrate is a new phenomenon. But there is actually a rich and complex history to it that goes back as far as the 1600s. This paper discusses the causes that stimulated migration to and from the Putla region, and the effects these migration patterns had on the identity of the Putlecan people.
After reading The Violent Land by Jorge Amado it was clear to see that not only were the people of Bahia violent, but the land that they lived on was also violent as well. The land left not only the colonels with a different perspective on ethical reasoning, but created a new world of horrors. Aside from the unpredictable weather, as stated in our book the land was filled with poisonous snakes, jaguars, and other animals that scared any newcomers (Amado 36) that would come to the forest in hopes of money and a better life. In order for these men to get the plantation, they were going to be working on they had to go through thick virgin brushes to get to their designated work area. As stated by Amado “They have crossed rivers, made their way through all but impenetrable thickets, blazing trails, tramping through swamps; and one of them had been bitten by a snake and had buried at the side of the newly opened road (Amado 38). Upon completing the book, it was evident that many men that wondered to this land would belong to the forest even after they have passed.
The spreading of Christian views and beliefs were very popular amongst the French and Spanish societies. Both the French and Spanish missionaries took it upon themselves to travel to the “New World” to spread the message of Christ. Many of the missionaries were not prepared to deal with the very different lifestyles and religious views that the natives had. The missionaries had to use many tactics to relay the message of Christ to the native people of the Americas. Many missionaries would struggle at converting the natives while on their religious quest to mission. Both the French and the Spanish would feel as though it is their duty to try and convert these pagan believers to Catholicism. This would ultimately lead to conflict amongst the different cultures. This paper will discuss the many different tactics used by both the French and Spanish missionaries in trying to convert and spread Catholicism. It will also discuss how they also viewed the lifestyle and culture of the natives. Lastly I will discuss how the natives responded to the missionaries and what they thought of these foreign invaders.
Larry Rohter was a journalist in Brazil for 14 years and from his experiences he offers in this book some unique insights into Brazilian history, politics, culture and more. In 10 topical chapters Rohter’s easy-to-read book provides a look at Brazilian history and the extraordinary changes the country has undergone -- and is still undergoing. Rother covers many significant issues, but several stand out more than others. Namely: the country’s history, culture, politics, and finally its economy/natural wealth.
This research paper will delve into the topic of cannibalism in native tribes of Brazil during the Portuguese colonization of the South American country. My research only the topic yielded very interesting results. Some scholars suggest that cannibalism (in the instances involving the Tupinamba tribe and their ritualistic practices) didn't even occur. This isn't to say, however, that cannibalism was completely nonexistent in Brazil, but arguing that it did not occur in the “savage” ways often described. I could easily sum up the accounts of various witnesses of cannibalism, but I will focus on the material that will mostly discuss the effect that cannibalism had on colonization in Brazil.
“A formal public commitment to legal racial equality, for example, had been the price of mass support for Latin American’s independence movements. In the generation following independence, the various mixed-race classifications typical of the caste system were optimistically banished from census forms and parish record keeping.” This was meant to make all slaves citizens, equal to all other citizens. Slavery receded in Latin America, except in non-republican Brazil, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. However, Brazil’s pursuit of independence was the least violent and provoked the least amount of change. The case of Brazil suggests that retention of colonial institutions such as monarchies lent to stability. “Brazil had retained a European dynasty; a nobility of dukes, counts, and barons sporting coats of arms; a tight relationship between church and state; and a full commitment to the institution of chattel slavery, in which some people worked others to death.”
The celebration of the Carnival first began in Italy before the first day of the Lent season and was later brought to Brazil by Catholic Portuguese settlers in the 18th century. The origin of Carnivals may not be Brazilian, yet even today Brazil most embodies the Carnival celebrations and spirit. There are many small festivals held throughout the year, but few claim to compare to the annual “Carnaval” in Rio de Janeiro. The celebration is only a small part of the year, but its influence on the community remains for the whole year. Carnaval is considered a time when socio-economic status disappears and communities come together. However, Carnaval also strongly impacts Brazil by providing space for individuality and celebrating individual characteristics. Indeed, Carnaval has become an opportunity for small revolts and protests by the people usually against the government. Brazilians who aren’t satisfied with social standards or laws will speak up and use Carnaval as their platform for protest. The celebration creates an atmosphere of trust and community in which people feel comfortable voicing their opinions. It has been used for feminist movements, gay right movements, as well as others. Not only is it beneficial to marginalized groups who find the opportunity to voice their frustration, Carnaval is used as an opportunity to forget and move past the brutality of life. Whether it’s death or unemployment, Carnaval activities focus on the positive aspects of life and don’t tend to dwell on the past. Brazil has become one of the happiest emerging nations because of the Carnaval. Although Carnaval appears to consist of mainly outrageous parties, it represents much more than that. Carnaval provides a public forum to ce...
The Brazilian culture is one of the world’s most wide ranged and diverse. This is a result due to it being a melting pot of nationalities, as a result of centuries of European domination as well as slavery, which brought large groups of African migrants across Brazil’s borders to live in and influence the local cultures with their ancient customs and ideas. The European settlers also brought ideas, innovations and belief systems with them, molding the local societies remarkably. All of these varying influences have made the modern-day Brazilian culture is unique and very elaborate (Meyer, 2010).
As a nation, Brazil has a long and eventful history, involving both its post-colonial status as an ex-member of the Portuguese imperial regime and the long term history of its pre-colonial indigenous tribes. Borrowing from information provided by Boris Fausto, a professor at the University of Sao Paulo in his book A Concise History of Brazil, it is clear that Brazil is a country confused in its post-colonial identity. While colonialism brought massive wealth and prosperity to a nation that is rich with resources, the question of the treatment of the remaining indigenous tribes remains a deep-rooted issue for many Brazilians.