Tradition and Race in Brazil

By ​Ignacio Sanchez Romero

Two recurring themes that I noticed throughout my time in Brazil were tradition and race. These observations broadened my understanding and challenged my assumptions about Brazilian culture and society.

Tradition was the first theme that came through in several experiences. We began our trip by attending a lecture with Professor Willys Santos and Alcides about Candomblé, an Afro-Brazilian religious tradition. This was followed by a Capoeira workshop, a martial art that combines dance, gymnastics, and music. We had the opportunity to engage as well as observe, experiencing the tradition's music and history. 

The class after our capoeira workshop

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​Another example of tradition was attending a Bahia football match, where the fans' chants and songs filled the stadium. These experiences demonstrated how deeply embedded traditions are in Brazilian culture. These are not only things from the past; rather, they are ongoing traditions that influence people's identities.

Ignacio chanting with Bahia fans

As I gave this some thought, I realized how simple it is to take our traditions for granted. Our cultural identities are built on customs and practices that have been passed down from generation to generation. However, we frequently lose awareness of their importance in the rush of modern life. My time in Brazil made me realize the value of preserving and valuing these traditions. It prompted me to reflect on my own history and the traditions that define me as a Mexican American. I started asking myself deeper questions like, "What does it mean to be a Mexican American?" Who am I and what am I called to do?
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The second theme, race, became visible through everyday observations. Sitting in a food court one day, I noticed a clear division in the area. While the diners, many of whom were white, were passively enjoying their meals and talking about their plans to visit the beach, people of color made up the majority of those handling the cooking, cleaning, and placing orders. This observation echoed what we discussed in class about race and socioeconomic status. It brought attention to the discrepancies and structural injustices that exist everywhere, not only in Brazil. Lençóis was another place where this pattern was visible, with people of color regularly spotted dealing to make ends meet while white tourists were enjoying their holidays. These were some disturbing and eye-opening observations. They showed me how deeply embedded these inequalities are. It was not limited to the food court or Lençóis; it was present everywhere I looked. This difference served as a reminder to me of how important it is to recognize and address these problems, both in Brazil and at home. While it's simple to overlook such realities when they don't directly impact us, this trip made it difficult for me to stay quiet.

Lencois getting ready for the June parties

Overall, there was more to my trip to Brazil than just a getaway. I had a great opportunity to think about my own identity and learn about a new culture. This experience has increased my understanding of global issues of race and embracing traditions, as well as how they intersect. It has given me a sense of responsibility to spread this awareness and apply it in my daily life. This trip has also taught me the value of being open to new experiences and perspectives. I was able to develop myself and get a broader perspective on the world by getting involved with Brazilian customs and seeing the racial dynamics up close. It served as more proof that traveling is about more than just seeing new places; it's also about having new experiences and growing from them.

My wish is that more students will be able to take part in these kinds of trips, not only to travel to new places, but to learn more about different cultures and global issues. We can experience significant personal growth by being willing to try new things and push ourselves beyond our comfort zones. 

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Ignacio Sanchez Romero is a senior at Saint John's University majoring in Economics with a minor in Data Analytics. He is from Minneapolis, Minnesota. He recently presented a research project on how migration status affects earnings from wages. He discovered that gender and migration status have an impact on wages. During his time in Brazil, he plans to expand on this work by conducting additional research on racial and gender inequality. One interesting fact about him is that this will be his second time leaving the country.

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