Indian Day (Brazil)

In Brazil, Dia do Índio ("Day of the Indian"), observed annually on April 19, recognizes and honours the indigenous peoples of Brazil. The date was created by 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]

Map of indigenous reserves in Brazil.
Indian Day
Official nameIndigenous People's Day
Dia Nacional do Índio
Observed byNative Brazilians
Celebrationsfestivities centered in Indigenous reservations
DateApril 19
Next time19 April 2021 (2021-04-19)
Frequencyannual
Related toIndigenous people of Brazil (known as índios)

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 Indigenous People's Day. It is considered the largest indigenous cultural event in the world, which takes place on 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 the 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.

Notes
  1. "Native Brazilians". Archived from the original on 2013-01-25. Retrieved 2012-04-19.
  2. Indian Day in Brazil Reflects Deep Rift Between Cultures
  3. National Indian Festival 2010 in Bertioga
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