Arab Brazilian
Encyclopedia
An Arab Brazilian is a Brazil
ian citizen born in an Arabic country, or a Brazilian-born person of Arab
descent, who is aware of such ancestry and remains connected, in some degree, to Arabic culture.
, later from elsewhere in Ottoman Syria
- Palestine
and Iraq
. Arab immigration to Brazil grew in the 20th century, and was concentrated in the state of São Paulo
, but also extended to Mato Grosso do Sul
, Minas Gerais
, Goiás
, Rio de Janeiro
and other parts of Brazil.
Most Arab immigrants in Brazil were Christians, the Muslims being a small minority in comparison to them. Intermarriage between Brazilians of Arab descent and other Brazilians, regardless of ethnic ancestry or religious affiliation, is very high; most Brazilians of Arab descent only have one parent of Arab origin. As a result of this, the new generations of Brazilians of Arab descent show marked language shift
away from Arabic. Only a few speak any Arabic, and such knowledge is often limited to a few basic words. Instead the majority, especially those of younger generations, speak Portuguese
as a first language.
In the main Brazilian cities it is easy to find restaurants of Arab food; and Arab dishes, such as sfiha
s (Portuguese esfirra), tabbouleh (Portuguese tabule), kibbeh
(Portuguese quibe), hummus
, tahina and halwa are very well known among Brazilians.
Most Arab immigrants in Brazil have worked as traders, roaming the vast country to sell textiles and clothes and open new markets. This economic history can be seen today in the ways that the São Paulo-based Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce has gained greater recognition in increasing Brazilian exports to the Arab world.
Arab-Brazilians are well integrated into Brazilian society. Today, only a minority of Arab Brazilians still know and use the Arabic language, the vast majority of them being monolingual Portuguese
speakers.
Many important Brazilians are of Arab descent, including important politician
s such as Paulo Maluf
, Geraldo Alckmin
, Gilberto Kassab
, Michel Temer
and José Maria Alkmin
, artists, writers (for instance Raduan Nassar
) and models
.
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian citizen born in an Arabic country, or a Brazilian-born person of Arab
Arab
Arab people, also known as Arabs , are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing...
descent, who is aware of such ancestry and remains connected, in some degree, to Arabic culture.
Immigration to Brazil
Immigration of Arabs to Brazil started in the late 19th century, most of them coming from LebanonLebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
, later from elsewhere in Ottoman Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
- Palestine
Palestine
Palestine is a conventional name, among others, used to describe the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, and various adjoining lands....
and Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
. Arab immigration to Brazil grew in the 20th century, and was concentrated in the state of São Paulo
São Paulo (state)
São Paulo is a state in Brazil. It is the major industrial and economic powerhouse of the Brazilian economy. Named after Saint Paul, São Paulo has the largest population, industrial complex, and economic production in the country. It is the richest state in Brazil...
, but also extended to Mato Grosso do Sul
Mato Grosso do Sul
Mato Grosso do Sul is one of the states of Brazil.Neighboring Brazilian states are Mato Grosso, Goiás, Minas Gerais, São Paulo and Paraná. It also borders the countries of Paraguay and Bolivia to the west. The economy of the state is largely based on agriculture and cattle-raising...
, Minas Gerais
Minas Gerais
Minas Gerais is one of the 26 states of Brazil, of which it is the second most populous, the third richest, and the fourth largest in area. Minas Gerais is the Brazilian state with the largest number of Presidents of Brazil, the current one, Dilma Rousseff, being one of them. The capital is the...
, Goiás
Goiás
Goiás is a state of Brazil, located in the central part of the country. The name Goiás comes from the name of an indigenous community...
, Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
and other parts of Brazil.
Most Arab immigrants in Brazil were Christians, the Muslims being a small minority in comparison to them. Intermarriage between Brazilians of Arab descent and other Brazilians, regardless of ethnic ancestry or religious affiliation, is very high; most Brazilians of Arab descent only have one parent of Arab origin. As a result of this, the new generations of Brazilians of Arab descent show marked language shift
Language shift
Language shift, sometimes referred to as language transfer or language replacement or assimilation, is the progressive process whereby a speech community of a language shifts to speaking another language. The rate of assimilation is the percentage of individuals with a given mother tongue who speak...
away from Arabic. Only a few speak any Arabic, and such knowledge is often limited to a few basic words. Instead the majority, especially those of younger generations, speak Portuguese
Portuguese language
Portuguese is a Romance language that arose in the medieval Kingdom of Galicia, nowadays Galicia and Northern Portugal. The southern part of the Kingdom of Galicia became independent as the County of Portugal in 1095...
as a first language.
Arabic influence in Brazil
Arab immigration has influenced many aspects of Brazil's culture - besides and beyond the Arabic influence inherited via Portugal, as, for instance, some Portuguese words of Arabic origin.In the main Brazilian cities it is easy to find restaurants of Arab food; and Arab dishes, such as sfiha
Sfiha
Sfihah or lahm bi`ajin , also known as Arab or Chaldean Pizza, is a pizza-like dish originating from the Levant , and introduced in Brazil, Mexico and Argentina by Levantine immigrants ....
s (Portuguese esfirra), tabbouleh (Portuguese tabule), kibbeh
Kibbeh
Kibbeh or kibbe is an Arab dish made of bulgur or rice and chopped meat. The best-known variety is a torpedo-shaped fried croquette stuffed with minced beef or lamb. Other types of kibbeh may be shaped into balls or patties, and baked or cooked in broth.Kibbeh is a popular dish in Levantine...
(Portuguese quibe), hummus
Hummus
Hummus is high in iron and vitamin C and also has significant amounts of folate and vitamin B6. The chickpeas make it a good source of protein and dietary fiber; the tahini consists mostly of sesame seeds, which are an excellent source of the amino acid methionine, complementing the proteins in the...
, tahina and halwa are very well known among Brazilians.
Most Arab immigrants in Brazil have worked as traders, roaming the vast country to sell textiles and clothes and open new markets. This economic history can be seen today in the ways that the São Paulo-based Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce has gained greater recognition in increasing Brazilian exports to the Arab world.
Arab-Brazilians are well integrated into Brazilian society. Today, only a minority of Arab Brazilians still know and use the Arabic language, the vast majority of them being monolingual Portuguese
Portuguese language
Portuguese is a Romance language that arose in the medieval Kingdom of Galicia, nowadays Galicia and Northern Portugal. The southern part of the Kingdom of Galicia became independent as the County of Portugal in 1095...
speakers.
Many important Brazilians are of Arab descent, including important politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
s such as Paulo Maluf
Paulo Maluf
Paulo Salim Maluf is a Brazilian politician with a career spanning over four decades and many functions, including those of State Governor of São Paulo, Mayor of the City of São Paulo, Congressman and Presidential candidate. As of 2011, Maluf is on a second consecutive term as Federal Deputy...
, Geraldo Alckmin
Geraldo Alckmin
Geraldo José Rodrigues Alckmin Filho , known as Geraldo Alckmin is a Brazilian politician, who has been elected as the new governor of São Paulo, doing it for the second time, and former candidate for president of Brazil in the 2006 Elections...
, Gilberto Kassab
Gilberto Kassab
Gilberto Kassab is a Brazilian politician, current mayor of São Paulo. His term ends in 2012. A civil engineer and economist, of Lebanese descent, Kassab took over from José Serra, after Serra decided to run for governor of São Paulo...
, Michel Temer
Michel Temer
Michel Miguel Elias Temer Lulia , better known as Michel Temer, is a Brazilian lawyer and politician, and currently the Vice-President of Brazil after winning on the ticket of Workers' Party candidate Dilma Rousseff...
and José Maria Alkmin
José Maria Alkmin
José Maria Alkmin was Vice-President of Brazil from 1964 to 1967. He had been finance minister before becoming vice president. He was also once the Partido Social Democrático's deputy.- References :...
, artists, writers (for instance Raduan Nassar
Raduan Nassar
Raduan Nassar is a Brazilian writer. The son of Lebanese immigrants, he moved to São Paulo when he was a teenager. He studied Law and Philosophy at one of the most important universities in Brazil, the University of São Paulo.In 1970, he wrote Um Copo de Cólera, published in 1978...
) and models
Model (person)
A model , sometimes called a mannequin, is a person who is employed to display, advertise and promote commercial products or to serve as a subject of works of art....
.
Notable Arab Brazilians
- Adib Domingos JateneAdib Domingos JateneAdib Domingos Jatene is a noted Brazilian physician of Lebanese background, university professor, scientist and thoracic surgeon, one of the founders of the University of São Paulo Heart Institute and internationally respected as the inventor of the Jatene operation, a technique to correct...
, physicianPhysicianA physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments... - Amir SlamaAmir SlamaAmir Slama is a Brazilian-born fashion designer of Iraqi Jewish and Romanian heritage . He is the designer, stylist and owner of the Brazilian beach fashion brand Rosa Chá....
, fashion designer - Amyr KlinkAmyr KlinkAmyr Klink is an explorer and sailor. One of his projects, "Antarctica 360", was circumnavigating the Antarctic continent on his own, in 79 days in 1998....
, sailorSailorA sailor, mariner, or seaman is a person who navigates water-borne vessels or assists in their operation, maintenance, or service. The term can apply to professional mariners, military personnel, and recreational sailors as well as a plethora of other uses... - Antônio HouaissAntônio HouaissAntônio Houaiss was a Brazilian lexicographer, writer and translator, who served as the Minister of Culture.He was the son of Lebanese immigrants....
, writerWriterA writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
and philologist - Alfredo Saad-FilhoAlfredo Saad-FilhoProfessor Alfredo Saad-Filho BSc, MSc PhD has degrees in Economics from Universidade de Brasília and the University of London , and has taught and researched in universities in Brazil and Mozambique as well as the UK...
, economistEconomistAn economist is a professional in the social science discipline of economics. The individual may also study, develop, and apply theories and concepts from economics and write about economic policy... - Carlos GhosnCarlos GhosnCarlos Ghosn, KBE , born 9 March 1954, is a Brazilian-Lebanese-French businessman who is currently the Chairman and CEO of Yokohama, Japan-based Nissan and holds the same positions at Paris-based Renault, which together produce more than one in 10 cars worldwide...
, businessman (current CEO of RenaultRenaultRenault S.A. is a French automaker producing cars, vans, and in the past, autorail vehicles, trucks, tractors, vans and also buses/coaches. Its alliance with Nissan makes it the world's third largest automaker...
and Nissan) - Carlos Nemer, university professor
- Daniella SarahybaDaniella Sarahyba-Early life:Sarahyba was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and her mother, Mara Lúcia Sarahyba, was also a model in Brazil. When she was 3 days old, she appeared with her mother on the cover of Brazilian parenting magazine Pais & Filhos. Sarahyba began entering modeling contests at age 12...
, modelModel (person)A model , sometimes called a mannequin, is a person who is employed to display, advertise and promote commercial products or to serve as a subject of works of art.... - Edmond SafraEdmond SafraEdmond J. Safra was a Jewish Brazilian-naturalized, Lebanese banker who continued the family tradition of banking in Lebanon, Brazil and Switzerland. He married Lily Watkins. He died in a fire that attracted wide media interest and was judicially determined to be due to arson.-Life of Edmond...
, banker - Fernando GabeiraFernando GabeiraFernando Paulo Nagle Gabeira is a Brazilian politician, author and journalist. He has been a federal deputy for the State of Rio de Janeiro since 1995....
, politician - Fernando HaddadFernando HaddadFernando Haddad is a Brazilian academic and politician of Lebanese origin. He is currently the Minister of Education in the cabinet of Dilma Rousseff..-Biography:...
, politician - Geraldo AlckminGeraldo AlckminGeraldo José Rodrigues Alckmin Filho , known as Geraldo Alckmin is a Brazilian politician, who has been elected as the new governor of São Paulo, doing it for the second time, and former candidate for president of Brazil in the 2006 Elections...
, the current Governor of São Paulo - Gilberto KassabGilberto KassabGilberto Kassab is a Brazilian politician, current mayor of São Paulo. His term ends in 2012. A civil engineer and economist, of Lebanese descent, Kassab took over from José Serra, after Serra decided to run for governor of São Paulo...
, the current mayor of São PauloSão PauloSão Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, the largest city in the southern hemisphere and South America, and the world's seventh largest city by population. The metropolis is anchor to the São Paulo metropolitan area, ranked as the second-most populous metropolitan area in the Americas and among... - João BoscoJoão BoscoJoão Bosco de Freitas Mucci, better known as João Bosco is a noted Brazilian singer-songwriter with a distinctive style as a guitarist...
, musician - José Maria AlkminJosé Maria AlkminJosé Maria Alkmin was Vice-President of Brazil from 1964 to 1967. He had been finance minister before becoming vice president. He was also once the Partido Social Democrático's deputy.- References :...
, politician, former Vice-President of BrazilVice-President of BrazilThe Vice President of Brazil is the second-highest ranking government official in the executive branch of the Government of Brazil after the President...
under Castello BrancoCastello BrancoThe name Castello Branco may refer to* Camilo Castelo Branco ; Portuguese writer, publishing over 260 works in this time; committed suicide in 1890.... - Luciana Gimenez MoradLuciana GimenezLuciana Gimenez Morad is a Brazilian fashion model and TV show hostess. Luciana started her modeling career at age 13, and has worked in many cities around the world, such as Paris, Hamburg, Milan and New York...
, modelModel (person)A model , sometimes called a mannequin, is a person who is employed to display, advertise and promote commercial products or to serve as a subject of works of art....
and TV entertainer - Malu MaderMalu MaderMaria de Lourdes da Silveira Mäder is a Brazilian actress of Lebanese and Portuguese origin. She lives in Ipanema, a rich neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro, and is married to Brazilian rock star Tony Bellotto from the band Titãs...
, actress - Marcelle BittarMarcelle BittarMarcelle Bittar de Almeida , better known as Marcelle Bittar, is a Brazilian fashion model of Lebanese decent....
, modelModel (person)A model , sometimes called a mannequin, is a person who is employed to display, advertise and promote commercial products or to serve as a subject of works of art.... - Mário ZagalloMário ZagalloMário Jorge Lobo Zagallo is a Brazilian former football player and manager.-Biography:Mário Jorge Lobo Zagallo was born in Maceió, Alagoas, to a family of Lebanese and Italian heritage....
, footballFootball (soccer)Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
coachCoach (sport)In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:... - Michel TemerMichel TemerMichel Miguel Elias Temer Lulia , better known as Michel Temer, is a Brazilian lawyer and politician, and currently the Vice-President of Brazil after winning on the ticket of Workers' Party candidate Dilma Rousseff...
, politician, current Vice-President of BrazilVice-President of BrazilThe Vice President of Brazil is the second-highest ranking government official in the executive branch of the Government of Brazil after the President...
under Dilma RousseffDilma RousseffDilma Vana Rousseff is the 36th and current President of Brazil. She is the first woman to hold the office. Prior to that, in 2005, she was also the first woman to become Chief of Staff of Brazil, appointed by then President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.... - Paulo MalufPaulo MalufPaulo Salim Maluf is a Brazilian politician with a career spanning over four decades and many functions, including those of State Governor of São Paulo, Mayor of the City of São Paulo, Congressman and Presidential candidate. As of 2011, Maluf is on a second consecutive term as Federal Deputy...
, politician - Sabrina Sato RahalSabrina SatoSabrina Sato Rahal is a Brazilian comedienne and television personality. She was a contestant on Big Brother Brasil 3 and is a current comedian on comedy program Pânico na TV .-Early life:...
, modelModel (person)A model , sometimes called a mannequin, is a person who is employed to display, advertise and promote commercial products or to serve as a subject of works of art....
and TV entertainer - Tasso JereissatiTasso JereissatiTasso Ribeiro Jereissati is federal senator of Brazil. He is a former governor of Ceará from 1987 to 1991 and again from 1995 to 2002.-Biography:...
, politician - Tony KanaanTony KanaanAntoine Rizkallah Kanaan Filho, commonly known as Tony Kanaan is a Brazilian race car driver of Lebanese heritage. Kanaan won the 2004 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series championship driving Andretti Green Racing's 7-Eleven sponsored car, winning three times in his Honda-powered Dallara...
, race car driver
See also
- Arab diasporaArab diasporaArab diaspora refers to Arab immigrants, and their descendants who, voluntarily or as refugees, emigrated from their native lands and now reside in non-Arab countries, primarily in Latin America, and Europe, as well as North America and South Asia, parts of Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, and West...
- Islam in BrazilIslam in BrazilIslam in Brazil was first practiced by African slaves. The early Brazilian Muslims led the largest slave revolt in Brazil, which then had the largest slave population of the world. The next significant migration of Muslims was by Arabs from Syria and Lebanon...
- Demographics of BrazilDemographics of BrazilBrazils population is very diverse, comprising many races and ethnic groups. In general, Brazilians trace their origins from four sources: Amerindians, Europeans, Africans and Asians....
- White Latin AmericanWhite Latin AmericanWhite Latin Americans are the people of Latin America who are white in the racial classification systems used in individual Latin American countries. Persons who are classified as White in one Latin American country may be classified differently in another country...
s - Arab Brazilian music