Well, I wouldnt know If I hadn't been told, so dont worry. But turns out a good friend of mine is a Capixaba. Ok enough wondering what it means...what is a capixaba? a capixaba my friends is an Espiritu Santo native. Yes, Capixaba. Now, don't say capixabanes or anything like that... thats wrong and they'll shoot you for it. Ok so maybe not shoot but they'll look at you like the tourist you are.
Ok so a little bit about Espiritu Santo. First of all its abreviated ES and its the stated that touches the Atlantic ocean right south of Bahía, north of Rio de Janeiro and and east of Minas Gerais. ES was originally part of Minas Gerais and was later annexed to Bahía, however, ES has always pursued being independent, I would in fact, attribute that every capixaba you meet will always think that ES is the best place in Brasil to this self definition of the imaginary state. When ES was first inhabited, the colonizers created the city that would later come to be known as Vila Velha (old town), however, this city was so attacked by french and dutch merchants and natives that they decided to seek a more defendable area, so they moved to cidade nova or Vitoria, which is now the capital of the state.
Espiritu Santo, has always been like the forgotten family memeber, other than it being important for emerald export when it was first inhabited, the only other valuable crops that have been cultivated in ES has been coffee. However, as of recently petroleum deposits have given new life to the state. A crop that has also been gaining importance and growth in ES is papaya, or mamão. However, now there are a lot of other crops in ES thanks to its somewhat state induced industrialization.
The population of ES is mostly italian and german, however most of what can be traced are the italian roots since aroudn WWII, the state forced the desintegration of german areas and they mixed with the larger italian population. However, there are other considerable backgrounds, like portuguese (obviously), spanish, belgian, dutch and even Lebanese.
Futbol, however big in Brazil, is not the best sport for capixabas. The only known soccer player from the state could be considered to have been Keiza, but dont worry, you wont even find him on wikipedia.
The truth is that ES has always been pushed back by the three other states that surround it, Bahía, RJ and Minas have always had large importance, this in turn dim the importance of ES in the country wide panorama. Nevertheless, ES is famous for its beaches speacially guaraparí, which is visited mostly by people from Minas, since minas has no oceanfront. No matter what Capixabas are very proud of their state and finding one outside of Espiritu Santo is a rare task.
If you ever have the luck of visiting ES, it is worth it to try some of the native delicacies. The Muqueca Capixaba, for example, is known for having no dendé oil (palm oil), like its bahian counterpart. It looks really delicious and I left a link to a couple very simple demonstrations on how to make it, below. Other plates to try are Polenta, Pamonha, and the Torta Capixaba.
Some quicky aspects I found as I researched this, show that ES is not foreign to the americanization of its culture. The perfect example is the (for some shameful or shameless) Madoniha Capixaba. A girl that translates and sings all of madonnas songs in portuguese. Well, I posted a video below, hope you enjoy it.
And one last video I leave you with, has some promotions from the state government of Espiritu Santo showing some of the beaches and places you can visit in the beautiful state of the Capixabas.
Videos
#1 Version 1 of the Moqueca Capixaba (I think this one should be a bit better)
#2 Version 2 of the Moqueca Capixaba... probably more tomatoe flavor, but I think he doesnt have a lot of the other ingrediets from the previous plate;
#3 Torta Capixaba
#4 Comercial about Espiritu Santo
#5 Comercial by the State Government
#6 Madoninha Capixaba... lol
Better your portuguese pronunciation
Ok so I realized that one of my biggest problems with pronunciation with portuguese was not know how to actually pronunciate each sound, so I tried bettering this while I was in Bahía. Now I say these sounds with a Bahía accent, or rather a Bahian inclination more than an accent. This is actually great for me because I love it, but the "correct" phonemes are not my primary go to, so for all of you who are still wondering how to make each specific sounds heres a little video (vid#1). I'll also add another video that helps a lot too, this is a fater and more complex video on more complex sounds, it examples more sounds and mixtures of vowel fonemes with their respective nasalities and it also does the consonant sounds. Again this is Brazilian portuguese, you'll find that these sounds are more fricative, softer and less vocalized than European portugese, according to Wikipidia, european languages are usually more vocalized than their non-european transformations and the softening of the language is supossed to be because of the influence of from other languages, these being both native american languages and african. Hope it helps you all, i'll add more on accents; specifically bahian - baiano.
Accent = Sotaque
Slang = Gíria (can be street or professional slang)
Enjoy... :)
Accent = Sotaque
Slang = Gíria (can be street or professional slang)
Enjoy... :)
Need help conjugating? Verbix is the answer :)
I know I have problems with the verb Pôr, and sometimes I have trouble with the Future Subjunctive, or wondering for some reason what the first person singular present tense of ter (tenho) is... so there you are, its really easy to use, and as Im sure you can tell you can also use verbix for spanish, or other languages by going to the initial home page :)
Slang Diccionary
So the other dictionary you're going to find on my quicklinks bar, is the Slang Dictionary or Dicionário Informal.
It basically includes slang, coarse words, misspelled words and even phonetical variations. Not all will be here, but even some obscure ones are. And be warned, as this is more of a User Generated Contect page (UGC) you have to be careful about where you use certain words, I would recommend talking to native portuguese speakers to clear any doubts.
Anyways, enjoy because most of the common slang words that sometimes as a language learner we are afraid to ask about, are in there. :)
It basically includes slang, coarse words, misspelled words and even phonetical variations. Not all will be here, but even some obscure ones are. And be warned, as this is more of a User Generated Contect page (UGC) you have to be careful about where you use certain words, I would recommend talking to native portuguese speakers to clear any doubts.
Anyways, enjoy because most of the common slang words that sometimes as a language learner we are afraid to ask about, are in there. :)
Dictionary
So after my long absence, I'm back posting once again. And going back to the reasons why I wanted to start this blog, here you go. The best online portuguese dictionary for you all. :)
So, for all of you looking for a good Portuguese dictionary, I'm leaving you this link.
I know I promised it long time ago, but here it is. Its definitely one of the most trustable and dependent online dicctionaries from my experience. Hope it helps all of you as well.
By the way, the word for dictionary is Dicionário, so there you are, your Dicionário em Português.
So, for all of you looking for a good Portuguese dictionary, I'm leaving you this link.
I know I promised it long time ago, but here it is. Its definitely one of the most trustable and dependent online dicctionaries from my experience. Hope it helps all of you as well.
By the way, the word for dictionary is Dicionário, so there you are, your Dicionário em Português.
todays blog is quite special
Today, im gonna start telling you, right from the start, what it is that I will write about. And that is, in the spirit of the blog - Brazil. Furthermore, I'm going to write about visiting Brazil. And one more thing, I'm going to write about tourism in Brazil.
Now, tourism in Brazil is really not different from tourism anywhere else. And actually this post is inspired now by anything Brazilian, but rather about something much more European - that is Spain. Now, as of late, I have had to re-define my traveling plans, though I have, since I can remember, wished to travel to Europe, I have yet to do so. Thus, I found myself having to decide, would I rather visit Europe? Spain? or go back to Guatemala (where I was born), or to Brazil?
Astonishingly, I am reading a very curious book - Países, Gentes y Cosas (Countries, Peoples, and Things), by Julio Camba. There, in chapter 30 titled "El fracaso del turismo" (Tourism's Failing) lies a quite particular - at times maybe erroneous, but quite enlightening way of looking at tourism and over all at traveling. Thus I shall translate! (at the bottom, my thoughts and conclusions)
Circular bills have failed, cheap hotels and guides as well. Tourism has failed. The tourist is an impermeable man. the spirit of the different countries he goes through never penetrates him. He is a man that takes notice of nothing, nor does he involve himself in the life of the inhabitants. He does not influence them, nor lets himself be influenced by them. He crosses entire cities, without leaving a single trace behind him. A nobody selling handkerchiefs, or a drug seller are infinitely superior to the tourist and do a lot more than him in matters of comprehending the different countries in the world. Tourism has failed even in literature. The reader should by Travels through Spain, by Gautier, compare it to The Bible in Spain, by Borrow. Gautier traveled to Spain as a tourist, to see the picturesque Spain meanwhile Borrow went to sell bibles. Well, the truly picturesque book is that of Borrow. Just like Gautier searched for gypsies to describe them, Borrow found himself amongst them, he learned to speak caló, and soon found himself involved in popular happenings of his time, dealing with the politicians of the time.
Thankfully in Gautier's time circular bills did not exist. There exist American families that spend entire years, fifteen, twenty, thirty saving money which they later, thanks to circular bills, spend traveling all of Europe in fifteen days. They see Paris, Switzerland, the Tyrol, Vienna, Constantinople, Greece, Berlin, Italy, Spain, Sweden. They see architecture, Gothic, Romanesque, Byzantine, Arabic; they see painting, sculpture, ceramics, machinery, night-life, natural beauty, historical places. They see everything in fifteen days, and if before the trip they had a vision, more or less exact of Europe, after the trip they have no vision whatsoever.
Circular travels are worthless in their attempt to instruct youth, instead the stupefy adulthood. The type of modern traveler, that is, the tourist has failed completely. In England many people travel now in cars like those of gypsies, who are the people that best know how to travel, with a kitchen bedroom and main hall. In this way, the trips are slow and few things are seen; but they are, in fact, seen well.
Axiom: Wherever you go, reader, seek to leave a graceful memory, or ungraceful: a girlfriend, some friends, some hatred, a rice or fried eggs recipe, or at least a debt.
Now, i must accept, I was only in Brazil for seven weeks, amongst which one was spent in Fortaleza, six in Salvador and a few more hours/day in Iguaçú. If you take the size of Brazil and divide it by the number of hours I spent in the country, you will realize it is insignificant. Truly, I realize that I am as much a tourist as most people. But I will say one thing, this blog, is my attempt to be more than just a tourist. I am dying to go to Europe, but I am dying to return to Brazil. It is a truly split heart, this heart of mine.
The point being, do not just be a tourist, do not just travel for sightsee (if that is what you wish to do, I will not have you turn away), nevertheless, there is so much more out there. Don't just visit whatever country, place, town it may be you have gone to, are in or will go to - experience it. That is, according to my feeble understanding, truly living.
So I invite you all, wherever you have gone, go back. Wherever your heart is telling you to go, go. For my part, I know I will be going back to Brazil, and if you ever need a guide, let me know maybe we can travel together.
Now, tourism in Brazil is really not different from tourism anywhere else. And actually this post is inspired now by anything Brazilian, but rather about something much more European - that is Spain. Now, as of late, I have had to re-define my traveling plans, though I have, since I can remember, wished to travel to Europe, I have yet to do so. Thus, I found myself having to decide, would I rather visit Europe? Spain? or go back to Guatemala (where I was born), or to Brazil?
Astonishingly, I am reading a very curious book - Países, Gentes y Cosas (Countries, Peoples, and Things), by Julio Camba. There, in chapter 30 titled "El fracaso del turismo" (Tourism's Failing) lies a quite particular - at times maybe erroneous, but quite enlightening way of looking at tourism and over all at traveling. Thus I shall translate! (at the bottom, my thoughts and conclusions)
chapter 30
Tourism has Failed Circular bills have failed, cheap hotels and guides as well. Tourism has failed. The tourist is an impermeable man. the spirit of the different countries he goes through never penetrates him. He is a man that takes notice of nothing, nor does he involve himself in the life of the inhabitants. He does not influence them, nor lets himself be influenced by them. He crosses entire cities, without leaving a single trace behind him. A nobody selling handkerchiefs, or a drug seller are infinitely superior to the tourist and do a lot more than him in matters of comprehending the different countries in the world. Tourism has failed even in literature. The reader should by Travels through Spain, by Gautier, compare it to The Bible in Spain, by Borrow. Gautier traveled to Spain as a tourist, to see the picturesque Spain meanwhile Borrow went to sell bibles. Well, the truly picturesque book is that of Borrow. Just like Gautier searched for gypsies to describe them, Borrow found himself amongst them, he learned to speak caló, and soon found himself involved in popular happenings of his time, dealing with the politicians of the time.
Thankfully in Gautier's time circular bills did not exist. There exist American families that spend entire years, fifteen, twenty, thirty saving money which they later, thanks to circular bills, spend traveling all of Europe in fifteen days. They see Paris, Switzerland, the Tyrol, Vienna, Constantinople, Greece, Berlin, Italy, Spain, Sweden. They see architecture, Gothic, Romanesque, Byzantine, Arabic; they see painting, sculpture, ceramics, machinery, night-life, natural beauty, historical places. They see everything in fifteen days, and if before the trip they had a vision, more or less exact of Europe, after the trip they have no vision whatsoever.
Circular travels are worthless in their attempt to instruct youth, instead the stupefy adulthood. The type of modern traveler, that is, the tourist has failed completely. In England many people travel now in cars like those of gypsies, who are the people that best know how to travel, with a kitchen bedroom and main hall. In this way, the trips are slow and few things are seen; but they are, in fact, seen well.
Axiom: Wherever you go, reader, seek to leave a graceful memory, or ungraceful: a girlfriend, some friends, some hatred, a rice or fried eggs recipe, or at least a debt.
Now, i must accept, I was only in Brazil for seven weeks, amongst which one was spent in Fortaleza, six in Salvador and a few more hours/day in Iguaçú. If you take the size of Brazil and divide it by the number of hours I spent in the country, you will realize it is insignificant. Truly, I realize that I am as much a tourist as most people. But I will say one thing, this blog, is my attempt to be more than just a tourist. I am dying to go to Europe, but I am dying to return to Brazil. It is a truly split heart, this heart of mine.
The point being, do not just be a tourist, do not just travel for sightsee (if that is what you wish to do, I will not have you turn away), nevertheless, there is so much more out there. Don't just visit whatever country, place, town it may be you have gone to, are in or will go to - experience it. That is, according to my feeble understanding, truly living.
So I invite you all, wherever you have gone, go back. Wherever your heart is telling you to go, go. For my part, I know I will be going back to Brazil, and if you ever need a guide, let me know maybe we can travel together.
Feliz Niver Sampa!!!!!!
Not today my friends, but Yesterday 1/25 - january twenty fifth, vinte e cinco de janeiro in the year 1554 was founded one of the biggest cities in Latin America, and probably one of the busiest Latin American market capitals - São Paulo.
Yesterday was the 457th anniversary (aniversário, or commonly called "niver") of the city of São Paulo. From humble beginnings, São Paulo is now the largest city in all of South America (Mexico City is in North America), and the Largest in the Souther hemisphere (according to Wikipedia). With a population estimated to be above 11 million or Onze milões of inhabitants, the city, infamous for its many skyscrapers, could best be described as the New York of Latin America (check out some of the links I have at the end of the article to see the city's majestic skyline).
O Brasil is known as one of the most diverse countries in the world, and São Paulo, its biggest city (home to the largest Japanese community outside of Japan). One of the best indicators of this cultural variety is probably its cuisine. According to the website Projeto Fábrica, with over 13,000 restaurants representing over 45 different "culinarias" São Paulo does represent its many cultural backgrounds in a day to day basis. In fact, while many countries are currently facing problems with the accommodation and acceptance of new migrating groups, São Paulo, because of its long history of immigration seems to be doing quite well. (Para mais informações sobre immigração no Brasil olhe aquí )
Apart from being the largest city in Brasil, and one of Brazil's many cultural centers, São Paulo is also the Financial Center of the country. In fact, the Brazilian government is conjuring up a plan in an attempt of making it not only the Financial center of O Brasil but also of South America. In an attempt to reach this, the BM&FBOVESPA (Bolsa de Mercadurias e Futuros, e Bolsa de Valores de São Paulo) has been created by the merging of the Bovespa and the BM&F and the Economical Index IBOVESPA created. Furthermore, the Brazilian government has been in talk with the Chinese index in Shangai (Xangai in portuguese), so that action mobility does not stop and so in conjunction O Brasil and China might exchange in eachother's Exchanges freely and 24hrs. Furthermore, partnerships have been established with the Chilean Exchange (probably São Paulo's biggest opponent in the attempt of financial domination in the area) and talks with the Peruvian, Mexican and Colombian markets are also in process, according to Fernando Nogueira da Costa, professor of the Institute of Economy at the UNICAMP - Universidade de Campinas (second largest city in the state of São Paulo).
So at this 457th birthday of São Paulo, also known as Sampa (and who's inhabitants are called paulistanos contrary to the paulista, which means inhabitant of the state of São Paulo), São Paulo is celebrating. The official celebrations were the mass offered at the Catedral da Sé and the awarding of the Medal "25 de Janeiro," which this year was given to the ex-vice-president of the republic José Alencar. However many other celebrations took place, and like good Brasileiros Paulistano Singers had a show in the corner of two of the biggest streets São João and Iparinga.
To know more about São Paulo, visit São Paulo Minha Cidade.
Yesterday was the 457th anniversary (aniversário, or commonly called "niver") of the city of São Paulo. From humble beginnings, São Paulo is now the largest city in all of South America (Mexico City is in North America), and the Largest in the Souther hemisphere (according to Wikipedia). With a population estimated to be above 11 million or Onze milões of inhabitants, the city, infamous for its many skyscrapers, could best be described as the New York of Latin America (check out some of the links I have at the end of the article to see the city's majestic skyline).
O Brasil is known as one of the most diverse countries in the world, and São Paulo, its biggest city (home to the largest Japanese community outside of Japan). One of the best indicators of this cultural variety is probably its cuisine. According to the website Projeto Fábrica, with over 13,000 restaurants representing over 45 different "culinarias" São Paulo does represent its many cultural backgrounds in a day to day basis. In fact, while many countries are currently facing problems with the accommodation and acceptance of new migrating groups, São Paulo, because of its long history of immigration seems to be doing quite well. (Para mais informações sobre immigração no Brasil olhe aquí )
Apart from being the largest city in Brasil, and one of Brazil's many cultural centers, São Paulo is also the Financial Center of the country. In fact, the Brazilian government is conjuring up a plan in an attempt of making it not only the Financial center of O Brasil but also of South America. In an attempt to reach this, the BM&FBOVESPA (Bolsa de Mercadurias e Futuros, e Bolsa de Valores de São Paulo) has been created by the merging of the Bovespa and the BM&F and the Economical Index IBOVESPA created. Furthermore, the Brazilian government has been in talk with the Chinese index in Shangai (Xangai in portuguese), so that action mobility does not stop and so in conjunction O Brasil and China might exchange in eachother's Exchanges freely and 24hrs. Furthermore, partnerships have been established with the Chilean Exchange (probably São Paulo's biggest opponent in the attempt of financial domination in the area) and talks with the Peruvian, Mexican and Colombian markets are also in process, according to Fernando Nogueira da Costa, professor of the Institute of Economy at the UNICAMP - Universidade de Campinas (second largest city in the state of São Paulo).
So at this 457th birthday of São Paulo, also known as Sampa (and who's inhabitants are called paulistanos contrary to the paulista, which means inhabitant of the state of São Paulo), São Paulo is celebrating. The official celebrations were the mass offered at the Catedral da Sé and the awarding of the Medal "25 de Janeiro," which this year was given to the ex-vice-president of the republic José Alencar. However many other celebrations took place, and like good Brasileiros Paulistano Singers had a show in the corner of two of the biggest streets São João and Iparinga.
To know more about São Paulo, visit São Paulo Minha Cidade.
The Brazilian Superheroes!
Many have heard about the Carnaval that happens in Brazil every year. And although the comments I have heard go from "a breeding ground for AIDS" to "the best party in the planet" one thing is for sure, this year it will be invaded by superheroes.
Each year many carnivals bring happiness to each Brazilian city. Some note worthy ones include the Carnaval in Salvador da Bahia (best carnival ever - from what i've heard); There's the carnival in Olinda, a small old town next to Recife, the capital of Pernambuco; there's the carnival in the Maracaná Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. However, if you are to ask any, un-biased Brasilian (very rare to find one) they will agree the carnival in Salvador is the best.
With 234 Blocos, that range in categories from the 20 Afoxé, to the 22 Samba and the 45 Blocos de Trio, the Carnival in Salvador has enough for everyone. This is basically the largest street party in the planet and it has as stage the entire 25 km² that the city of Salvador is. Yet all of these have something in common (apart from all the crazyness, dancing, and fun) - a song.
The Song that is awarded the price Premio Bahia Folia. This price basically awards the biggest summer hit in Bahia, and believe me, there is always a summer hit. In the past, songs (that you should have heard of) that include Rebolation by the group Parangolé (2010) (second place was Base do Beijo, my personal favorite of last year), Cadê Dalila by Ivete Sangalo (2009, written by Carlinhos Brown) and Mulher Brasileira by Psirico (2008).
This years winner (according to Revista Época by Globo) will be the song Liga da Justiça by the band LevaNóiz. Now you may notice you already know what this song is about since even without any knowledge of Portuguese it is easy to guess that the name means "Justice League."
The song pertains to an imagined episode where the Penguin weakens superman with Kriptonite while The Joker and Lex Luthor take Wonder Woman's Lasso! So the advice of the band becomes: Run Away ("Foge, Foge Mulher Maravilha, Foge Foge com Superman"). And is this the catch, since actually this is the guy who may dedicate this song to any of you beautiful ladies to elope with him. I must confess this song reminds me a little of Del Shannon's 1960's hit Runaway, except this one's in Portuguese and a little better since it includes both and not just the girl running away.
Now, you may ask yourself how is this important? Well, let me give you three main reasons. One, it brings a completely new band to stardom; Two, it sets Pagode (the musical style this song is) as the definite leading style of music in carnival; Three, it details the constant cultural interchange that the U.S. and Brasil have.
First, it brings LevaNóiz to the national stage. Even Ivete and Claudia Leite, will be adding the song to their repertoire! It shows, that one time groups happen everywhere - and it shows how music in Brazil really does come from the people for the people, like a samba song says, "o sambista não precisa ser membro da academia, ao ser natural em sua poesía o povo le faz immortal." (a sambista does not need to be member of the academia, if he is natural in his poetry, the people will make him immortal).
Second, sets Pagode as the leading musical style in Carnaval. Now, that does not mean that Pagode is the most heard type of music in Brasil, there's still Axé, Sertanejo, Forró, Samba, MPB, Samba-Rock, Bossa Nova, Frevo, Lambada, Funk Carioca... a little of everything; but, it does mean that Pagode will soon be a force to be reckoned with, even though some people consider Pagode (like the do with Baile Funk or Funk Carioca) to be a trashy rhythm.
Third, America has left its mark in Brazilian Society, but so has Brazil left a mark in American society; the biggest and easiest to find example would be capoeira, or just music. Now, this is another example of not only globalization and of how the mixing of cultures adds cultural richness to different societies. Which is, not only part of the reason why this blog exists but also part of the reason the U.S. exists, is it not all about the melting pot?
Now, below you will find a video of the song - Liga da Justiça. and of the past 10 years worth of summer hits! Also, you can just play the link to the Youtube playlist at the bottom and listen to them all together. Oh and one more thing, don´t be weirded out by the fact that the singer of LevaNóiz has braces, though in the states its uncommon for anyone above a certain age to have braces, in Brazil age doesn't matter.
Liga da Justiça (LevaNóiz) - 2011
Rebolation (Parangolé) - 2010
Cadê Dalila (Ivete Sangalo) - 2009
Mulher Brasileira - Toda Boa (Psirico) - 2008
Quebra Aê (Asa de Aguia) - 2007
Cafê com Pão (Vixe Mainha) - 2006
Coração (Rapazolla) - 2005
Maimbê Dandá (Daniela Mercury) - 2004
Voa Voa (Chiclete com Banana) - 2003
Festa (Ivete Sangalo) - 2002
Bomba (Braga Boys) - 2001
Playlist with all the the Videos
Each year many carnivals bring happiness to each Brazilian city. Some note worthy ones include the Carnaval in Salvador da Bahia (best carnival ever - from what i've heard); There's the carnival in Olinda, a small old town next to Recife, the capital of Pernambuco; there's the carnival in the Maracaná Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. However, if you are to ask any, un-biased Brasilian (very rare to find one) they will agree the carnival in Salvador is the best.
With 234 Blocos, that range in categories from the 20 Afoxé, to the 22 Samba and the 45 Blocos de Trio, the Carnival in Salvador has enough for everyone. This is basically the largest street party in the planet and it has as stage the entire 25 km² that the city of Salvador is. Yet all of these have something in common (apart from all the crazyness, dancing, and fun) - a song.
The Song that is awarded the price Premio Bahia Folia. This price basically awards the biggest summer hit in Bahia, and believe me, there is always a summer hit. In the past, songs (that you should have heard of) that include Rebolation by the group Parangolé (2010) (second place was Base do Beijo, my personal favorite of last year), Cadê Dalila by Ivete Sangalo (2009, written by Carlinhos Brown) and Mulher Brasileira by Psirico (2008).
This years winner (according to Revista Época by Globo) will be the song Liga da Justiça by the band LevaNóiz. Now you may notice you already know what this song is about since even without any knowledge of Portuguese it is easy to guess that the name means "Justice League."
The song pertains to an imagined episode where the Penguin weakens superman with Kriptonite while The Joker and Lex Luthor take Wonder Woman's Lasso! So the advice of the band becomes: Run Away ("Foge, Foge Mulher Maravilha, Foge Foge com Superman"). And is this the catch, since actually this is the guy who may dedicate this song to any of you beautiful ladies to elope with him. I must confess this song reminds me a little of Del Shannon's 1960's hit Runaway, except this one's in Portuguese and a little better since it includes both and not just the girl running away.
Now, you may ask yourself how is this important? Well, let me give you three main reasons. One, it brings a completely new band to stardom; Two, it sets Pagode (the musical style this song is) as the definite leading style of music in carnival; Three, it details the constant cultural interchange that the U.S. and Brasil have.
First, it brings LevaNóiz to the national stage. Even Ivete and Claudia Leite, will be adding the song to their repertoire! It shows, that one time groups happen everywhere - and it shows how music in Brazil really does come from the people for the people, like a samba song says, "o sambista não precisa ser membro da academia, ao ser natural em sua poesía o povo le faz immortal." (a sambista does not need to be member of the academia, if he is natural in his poetry, the people will make him immortal).
Second, sets Pagode as the leading musical style in Carnaval. Now, that does not mean that Pagode is the most heard type of music in Brasil, there's still Axé, Sertanejo, Forró, Samba, MPB, Samba-Rock, Bossa Nova, Frevo, Lambada, Funk Carioca... a little of everything; but, it does mean that Pagode will soon be a force to be reckoned with, even though some people consider Pagode (like the do with Baile Funk or Funk Carioca) to be a trashy rhythm.
Third, America has left its mark in Brazilian Society, but so has Brazil left a mark in American society; the biggest and easiest to find example would be capoeira, or just music. Now, this is another example of not only globalization and of how the mixing of cultures adds cultural richness to different societies. Which is, not only part of the reason why this blog exists but also part of the reason the U.S. exists, is it not all about the melting pot?
Now, below you will find a video of the song - Liga da Justiça. and of the past 10 years worth of summer hits! Also, you can just play the link to the Youtube playlist at the bottom and listen to them all together. Oh and one more thing, don´t be weirded out by the fact that the singer of LevaNóiz has braces, though in the states its uncommon for anyone above a certain age to have braces, in Brazil age doesn't matter.
Liga da Justiça (LevaNóiz) - 2011
Rebolation (Parangolé) - 2010
Cadê Dalila (Ivete Sangalo) - 2009
Mulher Brasileira - Toda Boa (Psirico) - 2008
Quebra Aê (Asa de Aguia) - 2007
Cafê com Pão (Vixe Mainha) - 2006
Coração (Rapazolla) - 2005
Maimbê Dandá (Daniela Mercury) - 2004
Voa Voa (Chiclete com Banana) - 2003
Festa (Ivete Sangalo) - 2002
Bomba (Braga Boys) - 2001
Playlist with all the the Videos
The Celebration of Senhor do Bonfim
This past week was celebrated in Bahia, the celebration of the Lord of Goodends. Starting from the Archidiosese of Salvador, the devouts walked towards the church of Senhor do Bonfim where they gathered to do the pertaining celebrations.
The Soteroplitanos (how Salvadorans - from the city not the country) pay homage to the patron saint - Nosso Senhor do Bonfim; at the same time, followers of Candomblé celebrate to Oxalá, the Candomblé god of gods. Though the celebration is supossed to be Catholic, the syncretism with which Brazil is filled shows that the celebration is in reality a mix of both Candomblé and Catholicism.
This celebration starts two days after the Day of Three Kings (of which you can watch 2010 pictures here ) the mothers and daughters of Oxalá pay homage to him with flowers and other offerings. At the same time they venerate Nosso Senhor do Bonfim through the washing of the steps of the Igreja do Bonfim, where the eight kilometer procession (about 5 miles) of tons of people dressed in white ends. This procession starts at the Basílica da Conceição da Praia and ends at the Igreja de Nosso Senhor do Bonfim, where the Lavagem (washing) happens.
Though the first video is a news account of the event, it is interesting to see, how the current governor of Bahia, Jacques Wagner, originally from Rio de Janeiro, changes his sotaque (accent) from the beginning of the interview until the end of it, where his R's change from the usual Rio sound to the dissappearing R of Bahia. Who's trying to get re-elected I wonder?
In the second video, you will find the main song sung during the procession... You can tag along with the lyrics! (thanks to my friend Ana for the links).
soon to come... a little of the story of Oxalá and more about syncretism in O Brasil!
The Soteroplitanos (how Salvadorans - from the city not the country) pay homage to the patron saint - Nosso Senhor do Bonfim; at the same time, followers of Candomblé celebrate to Oxalá, the Candomblé god of gods. Though the celebration is supossed to be Catholic, the syncretism with which Brazil is filled shows that the celebration is in reality a mix of both Candomblé and Catholicism.
This celebration starts two days after the Day of Three Kings (of which you can watch 2010 pictures here ) the mothers and daughters of Oxalá pay homage to him with flowers and other offerings. At the same time they venerate Nosso Senhor do Bonfim through the washing of the steps of the Igreja do Bonfim, where the eight kilometer procession (about 5 miles) of tons of people dressed in white ends. This procession starts at the Basílica da Conceição da Praia and ends at the Igreja de Nosso Senhor do Bonfim, where the Lavagem (washing) happens.
Though the first video is a news account of the event, it is interesting to see, how the current governor of Bahia, Jacques Wagner, originally from Rio de Janeiro, changes his sotaque (accent) from the beginning of the interview until the end of it, where his R's change from the usual Rio sound to the dissappearing R of Bahia. Who's trying to get re-elected I wonder?
In the second video, you will find the main song sung during the procession... You can tag along with the lyrics! (thanks to my friend Ana for the links).
soon to come... a little of the story of Oxalá and more about syncretism in O Brasil!
Recent Developments about the Floods in Brazil
Deaths from Brazil’s flood approach 600 and continue to rise
BY SAMANTHA LIM – JANUARY 15, 2011
POSTED IN: UCLA's La Gente Newspaper
A massive flood swept Brazil’s Serrana region, about 100 miles north of Rio, last Wednesday leaving almost 600 dead, with the death-toll still growing, according to a Reuter’s report. Rescuers are still looking for missing persons while refrigerated trucks hold dozens of bodies yet to be identified. President Dilma Rousseff has declared three days of national mourning
BY SAMANTHA LIM – JANUARY 15, 2011
POSTED IN: UCLA's La Gente Newspaper
A massive flood swept Brazil’s Serrana region, about 100 miles north of Rio, last Wednesday leaving almost 600 dead, with the death-toll still growing, according to a Reuter’s report. Rescuers are still looking for missing persons while refrigerated trucks hold dozens of bodies yet to be identified. President Dilma Rousseff has declared three days of national mourning
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