Thanksgiving In Brazil

Thanksgiving is a well-known festival and a popular holiday celebrated with great enthusiasm. Thanksgiving is also known as the 'harvest festival'. On this day, the people offer their prayers and appreciation to God for the great harvest and all the blessings. A special reunion is organized on this day, where all the members of the family, distant relatives and closest friends are invited to join the celebrations. The houses are decorated beautifully keeping in mind, the theme of the harvest season. A Thanksgiving feast is prepared by the hostess and is shared among the families, neighbors and friends. Thanksgiving is celebrated across several cultures with different traditions, for many centuries. In Brazil, Thanksgiving is celebrated as the day to show gratitude to God for the entire year's harvest. The Brazilian Thanksgiving fete is not very different from the Thanksgiving festivals of other cultures. Read on to learn more about the festival of Thanksgiving in Brazil.

Brazilian Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day is celebrated in several nations. Brazil too, has its own Thanksgiving Day. The Thanksgiving Day in Brazil is commemorated on the fourth Thursday of November. 'Dia de Acao de Gracas', means Thanksgiving Day in Portugese. In Brazil, Thanksgiving Day is celebrated to express gratitude and appreciation to the Almighty for the abundant harvest throughout the year and for all his blessings. The Thanksgiving Day in Brazil is also known for its huge carnival.

Origins Of Thanksgiving In Brazil
Thanksgiving was introduced in Brazil by the Ambassador of Brazil, who was fascinated by the concept of Thanksgiving in the U.S. In August 1949, the President of Brazil, Gaspar Dutra, established the National Day of Thanksgiving. Later, in 1966, Brazil designated the 4th Thursday of November to be the day of the Thanksgiving holiday, just like the United States of America.

The Brazilian Thanksgiving Traditions
On 'Dia de Acao de Gracas', the Brazilians attend Masses at church and offer their prayers and thanks to God. 'Day of Grace' rallys are also organized and many Brazilians take part in these. The people of Brazil also seriously observe the 'Action of Grace' as a part of the Thanksgiving ceremonies.

Thanksgiving Meals In Brazil
A Thanksgiving is incomplete without the exquisite meal. Brazil's Thanksgiving is commemorated with a great feast in every household. In every home, a spectacular feast is prepared on Thanksgiving and is shared among friends and families. 'Peru' ('turkey' in Portuguese) is the traditional main course of the Thanksgiving feast in Brazil. Other dishes prepared are mashed potatoes, corn stuffing, pumpkin pie, sweet potato dish, 'Chile' pork crackling and so on. In Brazil cranberries are not available and so, instead of the traditional cranberry sauce prepared in U.S and Canada, the Brazilians make the 'jaboticaba sauce'. The jaboticaba fruits are very similar to cranberries and therefore, make the perfect substitute for the conventional, cranberry sauce.

Thanksgiving Day is a statutory holiday in Brazil. On this day of celebration, people offer their prayers to God and show their gratitude and love to the Almighty for the good harvest and bounteous resources. The Brazilian Thanksgiving follows the American tradition of Thanksgiving but is unique for its colorful, flamboyant, Thanksgiving carnivals.