Many of the traditions followed on this day are given way by the warm temperatures in December. For instance, when walking around the buzzing streets of Sao Paulo on the night before the turning of the year, you will see countless numbers of people wearing white. In fact, this is purely a Brazilian tradition influenced by religious African tribes. We, however, do not take these outfits too seriously; we only wear them to represent peace and renewal in the coming year. I don’t know about you, but I personally think it would be nearly impossible to see everyone in white here in the winter.
Other traditions can only be celebrated in countries in the Southern Hemisphere – especially those with a coastline. Brazil has the 16th largest coastline in the world, with more than 2000 beaches and nearly 7500km of land meeting sea. Therefore, quite a few Brazilian New Year’s Eve customs have a connection to the sea. For example, just before midnight strikes, you are to jump seven waves and make a wish every time. Try this on the French Atlantic coast and you’ll use all seven wishes on roaring fires and plenty of warm towels. Candles are lit by the water to bring luck and prosperity to all those holding them, they are not blown out by howling gales. Many street vendors take advantage of gullible tourists by selling over-priced white
roses, for it is tradition to throw them over the waves in hope for a New Year to be better than the previous one.
What Brazil is most renowned for, however, are the massive celebrations preceding the New Year. Similar to the Times Square Ball Drop or the Sydney Firework show, the countdown at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro is world-famous. In fact, this year, the 16-minute firework show pleased an immense crowd of 2.3 million people! Although it is very well received by other countries, it is not the only celebration held in Brazil. In Sao Paulo, 2 million
people eagerly await their 100-ton
firework show – with sounds
reaching an area of 2km
squared! In the north, a 15-
minute firework show amazed
crowds in Salvador, while in the
south, 17 tons of fireworks lit
up the skies of Fortaleza.
All in all, I understand my friends' worries that I was not celebrating a "real Christmas", but to be frank, I like it this way. I have been brought up expecting to go to the pool during the holiday season, or not bothering to bring coats when we go to relatives' houses, therefore such comments do not bother me in the slightest way. I, for one, am worried that none of them have experienced the Christmas I'm accustomed to. The one I would dearly recommend and am already impatiently counting down to.
In Sao Paulo, 2 million people eagerly await their 100-ton firework show.
Why a warm Yule is "cool"
5
Ana Clara Paniago