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History
Brazil is the only Latin American nation that derives its language
and culture from Portugal. The native inhabitants mostly consisted
of the nomadic Tupν-Guaranν Indians. Portugal began colonization
in 1532 and made the area a royal colony in 1549.
During the Napoleonic Wars, King Joao VI, fearing the advancing
French armies, fled the country in 1808 and set up his court in
Rio de Janeiro. Joao was drawn home in 1820 by a revolution, leaving
his son as regent.
When Portugal sought to reduce Brazil again to colonial status,
the prince declared Brazil's independence on Sept. 7, 1822, and
became Pedro I, emperor of Brazil.
Culture
Brazilian culture has been shaped not only by the Portuguese, who
gave the country its religion and language, but also by the country's
native Indians, the considerable African population, and other settlers
from Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Historically Brazilian society
has been patriarchal, with a strong tradition of male social dominance.
This has weakened with immigration, urbanization, and the decline
of the rural sector. Also, independence for women has grown under
the influence of feminism and the expansion of urban employment
opportunities for women. The family is still a crucial social unit,
and there is some survival, even in the cities, of parentela, a
kind of kinship system.
This extended network involves close family and distant relatives,
godparents and godchildren, and even family servants. Such linkages
are generally stronger among the middle and upper classes.
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