1. Ashley Shepherd, Cheryl Sherve
Tracy Stearns-Church, Ciara Stiles, Le Xu
CMST 101 OL 3912
Ms.Sonandre
Aug. 6, 2012
“…Brazilians seem to have a deep connection with their countries’ roots. To deny
their wedding their countries’ roots would mean that their love for their country is
unfounded and unworthy…”(Brazilian Roots & APA 2012).

3. Certain aspects of American and Brazilian culture are similar; it’s customary to ask the
bride-to-be’s father for permission to marry his daughter. However, it’s tradition that the
future groom must tame a donkey, an act formally know as Bumba – Meu – Boi.
A Bumba – Meu – Boi is a demonstration of power. As stated by Tamiya King, “This is
suppose to show that the groom is manly and capable of protecting his bride” (King
2012). By taming a donkey, the future groom will show his skill, duty, and importance to
his future wife as well as his in-laws; in a way he is demonstrating his dominance.
Therefore, he is considered a responsible and worthy husband.
According to The Blue Book of Communication Studies, dominance is defined as
“Behavior such as relaxed posture, greater personal space, and protected personal
space that communicates power, status, and control” (Beebe, Beebe & Ivy 2010).
Rings are exchanged at the engagement and are placed on the right hand of the groom
and bride-to-be. They are then placed on the left hand at the ceremony.

4. Bridesmaids and
Groomsmen are chosen
in pairs from the
attendees of the
wedding – usually 3
pairs on either side
No matter what their
financial status,
Brazilian tradition is to
have an extravagant,
fun-filled celebration of
http://thebrazilbusiness.com/article/invited-to-a- their marriage
wedding-in-brazil http://www.ehow.com/about_6558100_brazilian-
marriage-customs.html

5. Bad omen for the
groom to see the
bride before the
ceremony.
It is very important
that the marriage
license be signed as
soon as possible to
seal the marriage—
during the ceremony
Brazilians are all
about family and
they desire to ensure
good luck and long
marriage.

6. BRAZILIAN WEDDING
THE LATE ARRIVAL OF THE BRIDE
Brazilian tradition is said to bring good luck , that the bride arrive 10 – 15 minutes
after the groom’s appearance (Admin 2010).
Furthermore, it is said the late arrival to the celebration has a more direct meaning. “… a
gentle reminder on the organizational hierarchy in your new home” (“Hierarchy and APA”
n.d). This subtle reminder is a form of dominance, more specifically power.
According to The Blue Book of Communication Studies, and stated previously.
Dominance is “Behavior such as relaxed posture, greater personal space, and
protected personal space that communicates power, status, and control” (Beebe, Beebe &
Ivy 2010).
Not all would consider an understated, late arrival of the bride to her wedding would
indicate a subservient role as a secondary partner. However, it’s customary in Brazilian
culture, the male is the breadwinner regardless of the wife’s educational status (Jefferson
n.d). This is an example of power and control, dominance. The groom exerts his power over
the wife by restricting her to a house wife role.

7.  Brazilian brides wear elaborate white gowns, which they very often rent, mainly for
economic reasons, much like the groom rents his tuxedo. She wears gold shoes to
signify fortune.
 Bridemaids and groomsmen are chosen at the time of the wedding (from the guests
– in pairs, usually happily married couples, three on each side, so the bride and
groom are surrounded with healthy marriages
http://www.capecodjusticeofthepeace.com/BrazilianPage.
html
http://wedding.ygoy.com/2010/10/05/brazil-wedding- http://www.onewed.com/photos/show/brazilian-model-allowed-
ceremony-tradition-fun-unlimited/ bridesmaids-to-wear-the-bright-color-of-her-choice-

8.  In traditional weddings the
groom will replace his
boutonniere with a small
Brazilian flag; likewise, the
groomsmen will carry small
Brazilian flags down the aisle.
http://social.eli.ubc.ca/2011/09/13/eli-
 This is a symbol of their
fall-travels/brazilian-flag/ cultural heritage (Beebe,
Beebe, Ivy. 2010)

9. SIGNIFICANCE OF
RINGS Traditionally, it’s customary for many cultures to exchange rings,
jewelry or other forms of objects that are symbolic to their
relationship.
Rings are each engraved – the husband’s with the wife’s name
and the wife’s with the husband’s name.
An engagement ring is given and worn on the right hand. A
wedding ring is placed on the left hand during the ceremony and
the engagement ring is then moved from the right hand to the
left by touching each finger end to end and sliding it over—never
http://www.viniciusmatos.co to be fully removed from the hand.
m.br/portfolio/ Brazilian superstition to never drop the rings during ceremony
– means wedding will be doomed (bad luck or will end).
As stated in Brazilian Brides And Grooms Of A Brazilian
Marriage, “Another thing not to do at a Brazilian wedding
ceremony is to not drop the wedding rings, this is considered to
show that your wedding won’t last if this happens when the
Brazilian brides and grooms are at the alter” (Wedding Rings &
APA 2012).
http://www.viniciusmatos.com.br/portfolio /

10. • Portugese prayer read in Portugese
• Brazilian National Anthem or Brazilian song is
sung after the prayer to mark the occasion
http://wedding-beauty.com/how-is-celebrated-
a-real-brazilian-wedding/
http://www.viniciusmatos.com.br/portfolio /
http://wedding.ygoy.com/2010/10/05/brazil-wedding-ceremony-tradition-fun-unlimited/

11.  Hearing the prayer in Portuguese gives a
listener the opportunity to experience a ritual
as their ancestors did in native tongue.
Although some may not understand
Portuguese, the importance of the prayer to the
Brazilian culture and their efforts to keep their
rituals in practice is conveyed. Hearing the
sounds of the words as their ancestors did
signifies and attaches the meaning and
importance of this ritual.
(Beebe, Beebe, Ivy. 2010)

12.  Reception called Padrinhos which means wedding
“party”. Is as elaborate as the social class of the
bride’s parents, as they typically pay for the wedding.
 Pagoda dance – form of Samba dance showing
cultural background
 Bride takes off her golden shoes and places them in
the middle of the dance floor, non-verbally
communicating where the gifts go. Culturally, this
meaning is understood .
 Guests place gifts with them, sometimes money.
http://wedding.ygoy.com/2010/10/05/brazil-wedding-ceremony-tradition-fun-unlimited /

13. Guests are seated at tables that are labeled with Brazilian
cities instead of numbers, showing cultural pride.
Bride and groom
dance first,
which is a non-
verbal illustrator
of the dancing to
begin (Beebe,
Beebe, Ivy,
2010, p. 96)
http://www.viniciusmatos.com.br/portfolio/
http://wedding.ygoy.com/2010/10/05/brazil-wedding-ceremony-tradition-fun-unlimited/

14. Traditionally, the
woman is considered
weak and
subservient to men.
Men are considered
the authority and
strength of the
relationship.
They are very close
to family and keep in
contact regularly.
http://www.slideshare.net/sayisme/team-brazil-powerpoint-draft-12
http://www.everyculture.com/Bo-Co/Brazil.html

15. Food: Feijoada: Considered the national dish of Brazil,
this is a thick stew of black beans with pieces of beef and
pork added to it. It is traditionally prepared in a clay pot.
Feijão is Portuguese for Beans.
Drinks: Caipirinha – sugar, lime, & Cachaca (subst: vodka)
Caipirinha means “person coming from the countryside”
Tropical fruits, such as pineapple, coconut, tangerines, peaches, and strawberries
serve as the main ingredients
http://www.delish.com/entertaining- http://traditionscustoms.com/we http://travelingbastards.blogspot.com/2010/07/global-
eats-food-of-brazil-feijoada.html
ideas/parties/wedding/global-wedding- dding-traditions/wedding-
traditions-brazil#slide-8 traditions-south-america

16. Cookies are called:
Casadinhos – “married” (the cookie without sugar coating)
Bem Casados – “A wish for a sweet life”, also means “well-married” in
Portugese – Symbolizes sweet union of the couple
These cookies are only served at weddings (no other holiday or
celebration). The bread (cookie part represents the bride and groom
and the middle is sweet and “holds” the two together. This is a symbol
of the union.
Brigadeiros
(Brazilian Fudge Balls)
http://www.delish.com/entertaining- http://leitesculinaria.com/32758/recipes-
http://blushless.com/blog/tag/food/ ideas/parties/wedding/global-wedding- brigadeiros.html
traditions-brazil#slide-8

17. Wedding favors (small rememberances trinkets or
souvenirs) are called Lembrancinhas and are
given to guests by the bride—
She goes to each table to deliver.
Lembrancinhas http://traditionscustoms.com/wedding-
traditions/wedding-traditions-south-america
http://www.ehow.com/about_6558100_brazilian-marriage-customs.html

18. Superstition: Upon entering their honeymoon room,
the groom carries the bride (to ward off evil spirits that
may be lurking around) over the threshold, but right
foot first for good luck
http://kandeland.tripod.com/id17.html
http://www.giftypedia.com/Wedding_Traditions_and_Superstitions

19. http://www.gringoes.com/articles.asp?ID_Noticia=2090

20. 1. Probably as a consequence of the heat, if somebody dies
one day, the funeral legally has to be that day. Unless the
family wants to pay expensive refrigeration fees.
2. SAO PAULO — A funeral home in Brazil is broadcasting its
services live over the Internet, giving some of the millions of
Brazilians living abroad the chance to say a final goodbye to their
loved ones.
3. The Gonzaga funeral home says it has started streaming video
of burials, masses and funeral processions in real time to those
who can't make it to the ceremonies. It even provides an online
chat room.
4. Funeral home director Eras Gonzaga told The Associated Press
on Monday it charges about $60 an hour, depending on the
service.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/22/brazilian-funeral-home-live-streams services_n_786939.html

21.  No social events after a funeral in Brazil. ( no drinks
or food)—they grieve deeply with much crying
 For many Catholics, (which is a major religion in
Brazil) they have a special mass that is held 7-15
days after the burial of the deceased; this acts as
the final goodbye.
 The mass is known as “Missa do semtimo dia”.

22. • The color of mourning for a funeral
in Brazil is “Black”.
• When people pass away in Brazil,
the funeral goers usually wear
black.
• Women are expected to wear heavy
veils and to actively mourn the
dead.

23.  What communication concept is being applied, by
the bride being late to her own wedding, and why is
it important to the Brazilian culture?
 Why is the Bumba – Meu – Boi significant to the
Brazilians?
 What is the mass (reception) called that is held 7-
15 days after the funeral?