Brazilian culture has been influenced greatly by the Portuguese, Indians, Africans, Europeans, and settlers from the Middle East and Asia. One of their main contributions can be seen in the beautiful and rich arts & craft markets spread throughout the country.
Historically, handicrafts have received little recognition as an art form in Brazil. However, in the last few decades, it has been gaining popularity for celebrating local culture and restoring traditions. It is interesting to notice that arts and crafts can be found throughout the country and they differ from region to region.
Naturally creative, the Brazilian people value the importance of cultivating a family tradition and art form that has been handed down from generation to generation. The role of artisans is gaining more significance in the Brazilian economy. The industry is giving many low-income women an opportunity to become entrepreneurs and improve their family economic conditions.
Traditional tourist spots, the craft fairs are a special attraction for those who visit the Brazilian cities and want to learn a bit about their art and culture. Here bellow we mention four of the most important in the nation in different cities – Rio, São Paulo, Brasilia, and Caruaru.
Feira de São Cristovão
The São Cristovão Fair, in Rio de Janeiro, is an excellent option for shopping, eating, and fun. With almost 700 tents, it offers products such as handicrafts, fabrics and mouth-watering foods, and the best, in the groove of North-eastern rhythms, like forró.
Feira do Bairro da Liberdade
Inaugurated in 1975, the Feira Oriental da Liberdade (as it is also known), in São Paulo, was created with the aim of presenting the work of oriental immigrants and showcase a little more of the Japanese culture for those passing by. The food section is one of the most visited and offers many Chinese and Japanese delights, and, of course, Brazilian cuisine.
Feira da Torre
Meeting point of many Brasilia residents, with stalls of crafts, furniture, jewelry mixing wood and seeds, light-colored linen or cotton fabric clothes, typical dishes and the traditional fried turnover with sugarcane juice.
Feira de Caruaru
Located in the city of Caruaru, 123 km from Recife (Pernambuco), and known to host one of the biggest June festivities in the world (São João). But the city is also known for having one of the most traditional fairs in the country. Held for more than 200 years, the “Feira de Caruaru” comprises countless colorful tents spread over two kilometers on the streets of the city, offering a wide variety of popular handicraft products such as hats of all fabrics and sizes, baskets, clay and ceramic objects, among others.
One of the attractions that draw hundreds of people to the fair is also the cuisine. The fair offers visitors regional foods like those made of grilled meat and goat, apart from medicinal herbs, fruits, and veggies. There are also sections where you will find clothes, shoes, bags, pots, furniture and, if you’re lucky, you will bump into some performances of Fife bands (set of percussion and wind instruments) and guitar players.
Here bellow finds out more information for the different types of “Artesanato Brasileiro”:
Woodcarving
In northeastern Brazil, many woodcarving and sculpting techniques were inherited from the African slaves. The Portuguese Jesuits also passed on skills in the carving and painting of religious figures in wood. Originally they encouraged their indigenous converts in the techniques, but today others practice the art. Woodcarving is widespread in the states of Pernambuco and Bahia. The technique is also found in Rio and São Paulo.
Ceramics
In northeastern Brazil, religious figures are also made in clay. They will be found in the city of Tracunhaém, near Recife. Another place where ceramics are even more famous is Alto do Moura, in the city of Caruaru. Both cities are located in the state of Pernambuco. The ceramic pots are also made in the Amazon region and they come in various styles.
Textiles
The state of Ceará, also in the northeast region, is famous for its lace-making, and beautiful pieces are sold all over Brazil. In other parts of the north, hammocks and other woven items can be found. In southern areas where European immigration was heaviest, many traditional costumes can be seen as the leatherwork that can be found in any region where cattle are raised.
Musical Instruments
The most popular instruments are those connected with African music, especially the berimbau (used for capoeira sound) and other instruments such as the zabumba used in the Forro music. Here again, the best place to look is in the northeast where the African heritage is strongest.
Souvenirs
Another northeastern craft is pictures made in bottles with colored sands. Lençóis, in Bahia, and Natal, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, are good places to buy them. But of course, you can find interesting souvenirs in many touristic spots such as “Casa da Cultura” in Recife or the “Feira Hippie” of Ipanema in Rio.
Baskets
In the Amazon region (Amazonas and Para) as well as in the northeast states of Paraiba, Pernambuco, and Bahia, you can find a huge variety of raw materials that is great for making baskets, nets, hammocks, slings for carrying babies, masks and body adornments, so, easily, you can find all baskets of all shapes and sizes.
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