Indian Day (Brazil)
| Indian Day | |
|---|---|
| Official name |
Brazilian Indian Day Dia Nacional do Índio |
| Observed by | Native Brazilians |
| Celebrations | festivities centered in Indigenous reservations |
| Date | April 19 |
| Next time | 19 April 2016 |
| Frequency | annual |
| Related to | Indigenous people of Brazil (known as índios) |
In Brazil, "Indian Day" (Dia do Índio), observed annually on April 19, recognizes and honours the indigenous peoples of Brazil. The date was created by the President Getúlio Vargas by a decree in 1943, and recalls the day (April 19) in 1940, in which several indigenous leaderships of the Americas decided to attend the First Inter-American Indian Congress, held in Mexico.[1]
Nowadays most part of the cities does not celebrate the date, however it is very common for schoolchildren across Brazil to dress up like Natives and visit Museums to learn more about the first Brazilians.[2] It is common to see celebrations in states with a relatively large indigenous population, such as Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Pará, Goiás, Rondônia and Amazonas.
Festivities
The National Indian Festival is held yearly in Bertioga, São Paulo to celebrate the Indian Day. It is considered the largest indigenous cultural event in the world, which takes place in April 19.
The festival is seen as an opportunity to learn about Brazilian indigenous peoples, since traveling to most tribal areas and reservations in Brazil is restricted and must be authorized by FUNAI, the National Indian Foundation. It is also seen as an opportunity for Native Brazilians to perform celebrations, such as indigenous rituals, body art, music, dance, food, crafts and sports.[3]
Similar days celebrating racial groups in Brazil
The "Day of the Caboclo" (Dia do Caboclo) is observed annually on June 24, in celebration of the contributions and identity of the original caboclos and their descendants. This date is an official public holiday in nthe State of Amazonas.
"Mixed Race Day" (Dia do Mestiço) is observed annually on June 27, three days after the Day of the Caboclo, in celebration of all mixed-race Brazilians, including the caboclos. The date is an official public holiday in three Brazilian states.
"Black Awareness Day" (Dia da Consciência Negra) is observed annually on November 20 as a day "to celebrate a regained awareness by the black community about their great worth and contribution to the country". The date is an official public holiday in five Brazilian states.