Experiencing Easter in Brazil

Easter in Brazil, which has one of the world's largest Catholic populations, focuses on religious celebrations, family, and, of course, Easter eggs. According to the lunar calendar, Easter this year falls on April 1 - another significant day for all the jokers out there - which is the first Sunday after the full moon of the Spring Equinox (when the Brazilian autumn season begins).

The first signs of Páscoa, the Brazilian word for Easter, start appearing in local supermarkets at least a month before the official date. Every year, rows upon rows of Easter eggs are strung across the tops of the aisles, from the major supermarket chains to the smaller, local stores. Easter eggs are a significant part of the Easter celebrations, and on Easter Sunday, loved ones typically exchange Páscoa eggs or simple chocolates (Easter eggs can be quite expensive in Brazil).

"Supermercados Na Páscoa: Como Vender Mais Nessa Data?". Blog Da Casa Magalhães, 2019, https://www.casamagalhaes.com.br/blog/supermercado/supermercados-na-pascoa/. Accessed 29 Mar 2023.

While the commercial aspect of Easter is prominent, there is also a strong religious component that millions of Brazilians participated in. Easter is part of Semana Santa, or Holy Week, which begins on Palm Sunday (March 25, one week before Easter) and is the most important event on the Roman Catholic Church's religious calendar.

During Holy Week, religious services are held across the country, with traditions such as palm branch weaving, speeches, prayer, and ceremonies. On Good Friday (known as Sexta Paixao), most Brazilian households avoid eating meat and instead eat fish. When Easter comes around, it’s common for many Brazilians to attend church in the afternoon and then spend the rest of the day with family and close friends. Good Friday is a national holiday in Brazil, as it is in many other countries around the world, and falls on April 9 this year.

While celebrations take place throughout the country, Ouro Preto in Minas Gerais is one of the most well-known and colorful. The long street between the Matriz de Nossa Senhora do Pilar and the Nossa Senhora de Conceiço churches are lined with a carpet of brightly colored flowers, sand, and sawdust arranged in intricate patterns, a tradition that dates back to 1733. The decorations start on the Saturday night before Easter, with children dressed in white singing religious songs. Other parts of the country celebrate in a variety of ways.

Agências (2022) Movimento de Turistas Para Páscoa Cresce em Ouro Preto, Mas Ainda É tímido, O Tempo. O Tempo. Available at: https://www.otempo.com.br/cidades/movimento-de-turistas-para-pascoa-cresce-em-ouro-preto-mas-ainda-e-timido-1.2654351 (Accessed: March 29, 2023).

In Ivoti, the south of Brazil, dogs and cats are painted blue or pink to remind children that Easter is approaching - "the sweetest time of the year," as the children are told. In addition, the city sells chocolate nests filled with mini eggs, a tradition brought to the country by German immigrants. In Piau, a state in northeastern Brazil with the most Catholics in the country: approximately 88% of the state's residents are practicing Catholics. Many people here refrain from daily activities, for example, they do not shower or comb their hair on Good Friday because it is forbidden during Holy Week. In Belém, a city in the Northern region of Brazil, large street processions follow the path between seven historical churches in the city center to celebrate the Holy Week.

While Easter in Brazil is primarily religious, family is also an important part of the festivities. It's a day to spend with family and friends, especially children, who are given treats and reminded of the religious significance of this special day.

Bibliography

"Como A Páscoa É Comemorada No Brasil". Umcomo.Com.Br, 2023, https://festa.umcomo.com.br/artigo/como-a-pascoa-e-comemorada-no-brasil-27111.html. Accessed 29 Mar 2023.

"Como Diferentes Lugares Do Brasil Comemoram A Páscoa". Época Negócios, 2022, https://epocanegocios.globo.com/Vida/noticia/2016/03/como-diferentes-lugares-do-brasil-comemoram-pascoa.html. Accessed 29 Mar 2023.