A Diverse Cultural Region

Ms. Percy

BRAZIL

So what’s the connection between Europe and Brazil?  Portuguese were fi rst Europeans to land in Brazil, est. colony

at Salvador da Bahia in 1549.

Bandeirantes (Portuguese fl ag-bearers) initially exploited land for brazilwood and later used indigenous people to work on sugar cane plantations.

Later exploited minerals such as gold, silver and diamonds which were sent back to Europe

The Mercantilist system dictated that natural resources in Brazil (and other European colonies of the time) be exploited by the local people and the resulting wealth be sent to Europe.

African slave trade provided labourers to meet Portuguese demands. African slaves replaced indigenous slaves.

CULTURAL CONNECTIONS

Europe can be seen as being partly developed by the “blood, sweat and tears” of Brazil’s, and essentially Africa’s, slaves

In 1889, slavery abolished in Brazil, approx. 2 million Africans had been brought to Brazil. This explains Brazil’s current cultural and ethnic diversity.

Like all countries, Brazil’s natural environment has shaped indigenous cultures found in the Amazon. Destruction of the Amazon is now threatening human systems and cultural survival

BRAZIL

Brazil is calling you commercial

The world meets in Brazil

VIEW IT

TRANS-ATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE

Create a cultural country snapshot of Brazil by using CIA World Factbook

Include the following in your snapshot:

CapitalPopulationLanguagesEthnic GroupsReligionsLife ExpectancyCurrent social issuesCurrent environmental issues

CULTURAL SNAPSHOT

As you know, in order to understand the culture of a country, it is important to know about its basic physical geography

Use the map provided to identify Brazil’s states and major cities

MAPPING BRAZIL

1. Read pages 141-144 provided. Annotate your map so that you have point form notes that describe each of the 5 administrative regions

2. Answer #8 on page 1443. Answer #10 and 12 on page 1474. Describe the demographic composition of Brazil5. Where do most people of African descent live today?6. Define the term shantytown7. Explain the meaning of the term favela and explain

why the Brazilian government would want to give ownership of the land to the favelados. Think in terms of how this might aff ect tourism in the future.

8. Answer 19a and b on page 150.

DAY 2: BRAZIL CULTURAL CASE STUDY

Life in Brazil’s Favelas Favela Slum Tours– An example of alternative cultural tourism

What are the diff erent perspectives on the benefi ts of the slum tours for the local people?

Extra Resources Road to Rio – What happens to fevalados when the country

hosts thousands of tourists for the world cup? For more information about life in the favelas, you may be

interested in watching the documentary Favela Rising

FAVELA TOURISM – OPPORTUNITY OR EXPLOITATION?

Read the article “From Eyesore to Must-See” and discuss the questions with your partner

Assume the role you have been given on your role card. Try and add more examples to support your point of view. At the round table meeting, you will present your point of view to the rest of the participants in an attempt to convince them that your point of view is the most logical. The big question to be discussed is:

Does favela tourism hurt or help the local people?

READ, RESPOND, ROLE PLAY

1) Everyone has the chance to express their point of view around the table

2) Time to challenge and or support participants, convince others

3) Debrief

Participants Local residents (yeah) Local residents (nay) Local tour operator (yeah) Local artist (nay) Tourist (yeah) Favela support worker (nay) Local tourism authority (yeah) Local teacher (nay)

ROUND TABLE: DOES FAVELA TOURISM HELP OR HURT THE LOCAL PEOPLE?