THE PEOPLE AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS
The Brazilian people are made up of three distinct races: Europeans of
every nationality, but most of Latin origin, Indians and negroes, the
latter two nationalities being more or less mixed in the process of
assimilation, and distributed all along the seaboard and the rivers,
from the Amazon to the Paraná. In Brazil there is no race problem or
antagonism between white and black, or Indian, and the hopeful ones say
that in course of time not only all race distinctions, but even colour
distinction, will disappear, and be merged in the new Brazilian type.
The pure Indians are now found only on the Amazon, the headwaters of
the Paraguay, and the sections remote from the railways of such states
as São Paulo, Paraná, Bahia and others. Most of them were never the
bloodthirsty race that our own redskins were, although a number of the
tribes were cannibalistic in their practices. The number still existing
is placed at about six hundred thousand. There was no regular spreading
of civilization and population, but it was done through the sporadic
settlement of advancing posts which were pushed out into the wilderness.
They were at first armed against the Indians, who were then hostile,
but most of the aborigines were finally subjugated, and gathered into
settlements by the conquerors. These settlements formed the nuclei about
which the towns began to grow. As there were few European women in the
country, the Portuguese took wives from among the conquered people, and
such a connection was not considered a _mesalliance_, even by those of
good birth.
From these alliances arose the mixture of Indians and Europeans, which
runs through many of the very best families in Brazil. In the state of
São Paulo, for instance, this mixture became very marked, and produced
an almost white race as the strain of Indian blood became less. It was
from this race that the original “Paulistas” sprang, who distinguished
themselves among the Brazilians for their bravery in driving the savage
Indians from the coast, and later by their enterprise and administrative
capacity. I met one of these men in that state who was a wealthy
_fazendero_, and a graduate of one of the best schools in our own land.
I was impressed by his courtesy and intelligence, and finally asked him
from what nationality he was descended. He said that his ancestry were
Portuguese and Indian. “And,” he then added, “I am proud of the Indian
blood in me.” From the way he said it, it was plain to be seen that he
meant it; and such is the feeling of all those who have that mixture.
Some of the very best men in that and other states have at least a slight
trace of the aborigine blood in their veins.
[Illustration: NEGROES IN BRAZIL.]
The negroes, just as in our own land, were originally brought to Brazil
and sold in bondage. The first slaves were imported into the state of
Bahia in 1574. Just seventeen years later the official records give the
population of that settlement as two thousand whites, four thousand negro
slaves and six thousand civilized Indians. This will give a little idea
of how rapidly the negroes were brought into the country by the slave
traders. Great sugar plantations were worked, and on these were employed
the cheap labour. The black slaves so exceeded in number the whites that
insurrections broke out in many places. In Minas Geraes, for instance,
out of a population of fifty thousand in the early part of the eighteenth
century, thirty-five thousand were negro slaves, and most of these recent
imports. Some of the whites were so fearful of their own lives, that the
governor petitioned the King to put into execution the “Black Code,”
which meant that the right leg of a fugitive slave might be cut off and a
wooden one substituted. Thus, by terror, the excess of blacks was kept in
subjection.
The proportion of black population is much greater in the northeastern
states than elsewhere. As one journeys south they become less numerous,
until, when you reach the extreme southern states, they are uncommon.
In the state of Bahia, those with a negro admixture far outnumbered
the whites. This is due not only to the fact that slavery was first
introduced there, but also because it was sooner abolished in that state,
and fugitive slaves escaping from the coffee plantations fled there, just
as they did to our own Northern states. Those who were able to buy their
freedom in other states went there as well as those who were voluntarily
freed by their masters, as thousands were all over Brazil. In Minas
Geraes perhaps one-third of the population have negro blood in their
veins.
When slavery was finally abolished, in 1888, there were perhaps seven
hundred and fifty thousand slaves in the empire, the most of these being
held in the coffee producing states. In São Paulo to-day the negro
population is very small, as it is said that the former slaves soon
became decimated by the excesses in which they indulged when freedom was
gained. In the whole republic perhaps very near to one-half the entire
population has at least a trace of negro blood in their veins. The
mixture is very marked in the north, and down as far as Rio de Janeiro,
and almost to São Paulo. There is, however, no race prejudice that I
could perceive. In schools I saw kinky-haired boys and girls side by side
with the whites, and in all public places they mingled freely. Negro
lawyers and doctors appeared to be patronized by the whites, and their
families seemed to have friends among all classes. Officially, at least,
there is no distinction, and men have occupied the highest offices in the
republic, who unmistakably had a trace of the negro blood. Americans, who
live there, as well as some native Brazilians, tell me that there is
a growing prejudice among those free from the negro blood against that
race, and even the slightest mixture of it, until it has now become very
noticeable in many ways, and is even making itself felt in political
circles. I am making this statement solely upon the authority of those
who live there, and ought to know better than a traveller; but, as for
myself, I saw no evidence whatever of such a state of public sentiment.
Says Dr. Hale in his book, “The South Americans,” “I was invited one
evening to a small dinner-party at which we were to meet Senhorita X——,
a young lady freshly launched into society, whose musical talent was
exceptional, even in this land naturally so gifted with love of both
poetry and music. I was the only one of the guests who had not met her,
so that she was smothered with greetings before I was presented; but
when my turn came, I was astonished to find before me what we would call
a mulatto—kinky hair, thick lips and prominent teeth. There was not the
least trace of embarrassment in her or the rest of the company. She sat
opposite me at table, played for us later some brilliant piano pieces,
and kissed all the ladies good-bye with so much ease that was absolutely
impossible to conceive any difference among us on account of race.”
The next largest foreign element is the Italian, of whom there are two
million or more. They readily adapt themselves to Brazil, because of the
similarity of customs and language. They are frugal and industrious, and
are gradually acquiring wealth and power. A great influence has also
been wielded by the German colonists who flocked to Southern Brazil in
great numbers, about the middle of last century. There are perhaps nearly
one-half million of this stock. They have not progressed as have the
Germans in the United States, perhaps because a living came too easily,
and nature was too bountiful. The majority of them went to Brazil after
the revolution of 1848, and one can trace many of the settlements by
the names of the towns. They do not intermingle or intermarry with the
Brazilians like the other colonists, and one can find whole communities
where no one understands the Portuguese language. They are citizens of
Brazil, and yet take little interest in the body politic, neither caring
for the position of alderman or policeman.
It is the Portuguese element in Brazil, of course, that are the most
interesting, and there is at least a remnant of the pure Portuguese
left. And they have many good and excellent qualities. As a race they
frequently lack what Americans term the practical element, but they have
some of the finer traits, frequently missing in our own people. They
have an innate courtesy which is sometimes almost overwhelming. If the
same thing was done by an Anglo-Saxon, in the same profuse manner, it
would be looked upon as overdone; but, coming from a Brazilian, it is
done with such a grace and smoothness that seems only natural. You are
greeted with an exquisite courtesy, especially after one or two meetings,
and the parting is a series of courtesies. You shake hands about half a
dozen times before finally separating, then pause and turn as you reach
the door and make a final bow before leaving the room; and this final
courtesy is always awaited by your host. If friends separate, or meet
after an absence, they fall into one another’s arms and mutually pat each
other on the back as a mark of affection. This is never done upon first
acquaintance. It is a slow ceremony when there is a large list to be
greeted, but it is faithfully gone through with; first a hand shake, and
then the embrace if the intimacy warrants it.
The street car conductor hands you your ticket with a little courtesy,
and even the hotel servant, and they are always men, finds time to say
_obligado_ (much obliged), when you hand him the gratuity he expects as a
matter of right. The _carigador_ at the station, who carries your baggage
to the train, may haggle with you over the price, but when the affair is
settled he courteously tips his hat and wishes you a _bom viaje_, which
means “a pleasant voyage.” If you remove your coat on the train, or
enter a first-class car without wearing a collar and tie, the conductor
reproves you with a little courtesy, as though he was performing a very
unpleasant duty. The clerk in the store never hurries you in making your
purchases, but patiently places himself at your disposition. And so it
is as you travel all through the country, there is courtesy present
everywhere, and you can not help but like the people for these traits.
[Illustration: LABOURERS’ HOMES ON A PLANTATION.]
They might also teach us something in their philosophical outlook upon
life. The doctrine of “don’t hurry” and “don’t worry” is deeply rooted,
and gives them greater enjoyment in life than among a race whose nerves
are continually on edge. They resent any assumption of superiority, but
recognize freely and generously the good qualities of the Anglo-Saxon.
There is a lax moral tone on the part of the men which could be much
improved, and which would greatly benefit the country at large.
In the homes that I visited excellent taste was shown in the furnishing
and decorations. There was only one arrangement that grew painfully
monotonous. In the reception room a couch was always placed against
the wall, and the chairs for guests invariably placed at right angles
to this, a row at each end. This gives the host or hostess a chance to
see each guest, and the favoured one is invited to share it with her,
or possibly to occupy it alone. The chairs are oftentimes stiff and
uncomfortable, but it is bad taste to move them, or twist around in them,
as Americans are often accustomed to do. The house is yours for the time
being. As one man told me in broken English, “your house” and “your
friend.” And it was my house, at least I was welcome in it; and he was my
friend, I am pleased to say, for he proved it. When you are going away
in Brazil, your friends always accompany you to the station, no matter
how far away or how early in the morning. I must admit it is a pretty
custom, and makes you feel that friends are a good thing to have. I have
had Brazilian friends, of only a few days’ standing, perform this little
courtesy, men of prominence and influence, and I confess that it reaches
a tender place in my heart.
The Brazilian women are handsome in their youth. Their bright eyes and
dark features at that age are very fascinating. Especially in Rio their
physique is much better than that of the men, for the “stronger sex” in
that city are mostly narrow-shouldered and rather thin-chested. The women
dress with good taste, but their styles have no uniqueness about them,
for they wear the same high-heeled, uncomfortable-looking shoes, and the
same large Parisian-shaped hats that have driven men to despair the world
over. As their years increase, however, they have a tendency to become
stout, due perhaps to hearty eating and lack of exercise. I must say that
the Brazilians are particularly fond of eating, and in this hot climate
will devour much more food, and especially meat, than those from colder
climes; and, in addition, they seldom eat the noon breakfast, or dinner,
without at least half a bottle of light wine of some kind.
At Rio, and in Northern Brazil, the women are subject to all the social
restrictions that have ever been the lot of women in Latin countries. The
young women can not go out unaccompanied by an older woman or the family
servant, and in the social life there is nothing of what American women
would term freedom. They perhaps do not miss this so much, for it has
been the custom of the race for generations untold. At São Paulo, and
some of the other southern states, there is a noticeable breaking away
from the centuries-old traditions, due, perhaps, to foreign influence.
There one can see even young Brazilian ladies out alone on a shopping
tour; and, although there is not freedom of association among young
people of the two sexes, the beginning of the change is apparent, and
I would not be surprised to see even a radical change in this respect
in another decade or two. The women there are beginning to feel the
narrowness of their lives, and to long for the freedom which they see
the young people of other nationalities enjoy. One will likewise find
women employed in some of the stores, and occasionally, in other public
positions in the cities of that state.
It is true that political ideals in Brazil are not so lofty as they
should be. If the reports of investigation committees are true in our
own land, however, our own stables need a little looking after. There
is undoubtedly more “graft” in Brazil than with us. Nevertheless, the
Brazilians are not without ideals. The development of the artistic in
parks and buildings is a convincing proof of this. The officials demand
work to be up to specifications, and then want their “graft” to be over
and above this, instead of the American practice of “skinning the job”
to accomplish the same end. This is their system, and there is generally
not so much coarse juggling as sometimes happens with us. Bankruptcy is
not so common as with us, and bills contracted by private individuals are
generally paid. The men are reprehensible in their private conduct, but
the women are generally good.
Said an American to me, who has lived in that country for forty years,
and who is the best judge of Brazilian character that I know: “The
Brazilian women, those who have not the mixture of negro blood, are good
and pure, and in them lie the great hope of the race.” They are domestic,
are the mothers of large families, and nowhere is there a sincerer love
for their children shown than by these Brazilian women. In Rio there
is a fast set, just as there is in every large city where there is
wealth, and an idle class, and where every opportunity exists for the
indulgence in vice. In the lower classes, and there are practically only
two classes in Brazil, looseness in the sexual relation is very common
and the percentage of illegitimacy is high. It is not looked down upon,
and neither the unfortunate children nor their mothers receive social
ostracism.
The upper classes of the Brazilians are a well educated and cultivated
people. Most of them have been schooled in France, and speak the French
language almost as fluently as their own. In Paris there is always a
goodly sized Brazilian colony, and the boats passing between Rio and
Europe always carry a number of Brazilians to and from that European
capital. They find the atmosphere of the French capital more congenial,
and full of the _simpatica_ which means so much to the Latin people. The
girls who go abroad for education are all sent to the convents of France,
but many boys are now sent to schools in the States, especially for a
technical education. Those who do go come back enthusiastic over the
United States, and many of them bring back American wives, much to the
discomfiture of the parents.
An aristocracy exists which can yet be traced, and it is an aristocracy
of wealth. It divides, with a sharp distinction, the aristocracy from
the labouring element. It is perhaps unreasonable to expect the classes
developed by a monarchical form of government to disappear so soon, for
the spirit was imbued in the dozen or more generations preceding the
present one. Among that class it was considered a disgrace to labour with
one’s hands, and this fact has made politics and the holding of political
positions a profession. This weakness in politics is, in my opinion, one
of the evils of Brazil. It becomes a business and a passion with the men,
even in a more intense degree than in our own land. The young man must
first secure the title of doctor, and every professional man, physician,
lawyer, civil engineer, teacher, etc., receives this title.[1] Then he
must obtain some government appointment. Finally, when his own prestige
becomes great enough, he seeks election to some office. To politics can
be blamed the lack of advancement in many lines.
Said one of the wealthiest and most progressive business men in Rio de
Janeiro, himself a Brazilian, to me: “Politics are the curse of the
country. It is all words and delay. The politicians like to talk about
their great country. They boast that the Amazon is the greatest river in
the world, so large that the Mississippi dwindles into an insignificant
stream in comparison; that Rio is the finest harbour in the world and
capable of floating all the navies in existence; and that Brazil has the
greatest undeveloped natural resources in the world. When any of the
resources are developed, however, it is not these men who help to do it,
but it is the foreigner who sees the opportunity and grasps it. Congress
meets and talks politics, instead of passing the necessary legislation.
They want to subsidize everything instead of giving competition a chance.
I am past sixty years of age, and it has been that way ever since I can
remember.” This is quite a severe arraignment of the evils of politics,
but it was exemplified during my own visit. The regular session of
Congress came to an end in October, and a special session was at once
convened, because the necessary appropriation bills had not been passed.
This was just a few days before the special service must adjourn, and no
progress had then been made. Long speeches were made, but most of the
talk was regarding the two candidates for the presidency. As this was the
first time in the history of the country that there had been two active
candidates for this high office, the senators and deputies spent their
time arguing the merits of their respective candidates. The Congress had
then been in continuous session for almost nine months.
Another unfortunate condition and characteristic is the dependence upon
what Americans would term “pull,” or influence. Even the well qualified
young man depends more upon that than upon the real qualifications
he possesses. So many are looking for “soft snaps” that it becomes
absolutely necessary to provide them. I heard of this from so many
sources, both native and foreign, that I am fully impressed with its
evil. It is even customary in educational institutions for students,
who have not been diligent, to bring to their professors at examination
time letters of recommendation from influential persons, stating why
this particular student should be passed or given his degree. Foreign
teachers soon shut down upon this method, and it has had a beneficial
effect in their schools. Any work that is done under a concession must
have a government inspector on the payrolls, and the man appointed is
frequently one who knows nothing about the work, but draws his salary. A
college must have a government inspector, who has nothing in particular
to do except that he must attend the examinations, and no degree is
granted without his approval. This inspector may or may not be qualified
for the position, but the salary of three hundred milreis per month from
the college makes it a nice political appointment, for it is practically
a sinecure.
The Brazilians are ambitious, but a lack of energy interferes with what
they otherwise might accomplish. In many of the government departments
and industries foreigners are employed at large salaries, which might
just as well be filled by natives, if the young men would only qualify
themselves. Very many of the agricultural schools and experimental
stations are in the charge of foreigners, Americans, Belgians, French
and German. They are rather fanciful and visionary in their plans, and
will not begin at the bottom as is necessary. They would rather build
the superstructure first, for that is the showy part. It is perhaps the
innate ambition, however, that will finally lead the country out of the
rut. They are willing to be led but cannot be driven.
“There is no public opinion in Brazil,” said one of the most influential
and ablest men in Brazil, a man who has travelled extensively and made a
study of other nations. “The masses do not think. The politicians plan
and carry out things themselves and create the opinion.” This strikes
me as being true. Politicians are the same everywhere, and here they
have practically a free hand. A large percentage of the population are
not able to read or write, and the percentage of those who do take an
interest in politics is small. They say that there is no use; but it is
a bad precedent. In every state there is a small clique who rule the
politics of that state. If a man announces himself as a candidate for
president, for instance, these wise men get together and announce their
positions; and this announcement is everywhere taken without question,
as the choice of the state. No political ring in the United States has
ever been able to wield such absolutely despotic power as these cliques.
There the voters will occasionally wake up and smash the corrupt machine,
while in Brazil the elections are usually merely perfunctory occasions
that must be gone through with. This does not mean that every one of
these machines is bad, for many of the men who have this power use it for
the benefit of the people, and have done much to advance the interests of
the masses. To them great credit should be given, for, having it in their
power to do absolutely as they wish, they have the courage and honesty
to use this power in the interest of the people, just as much as if they
had secured it from the people by a popular suffrage. Out of the eighteen
million people in the country there are perhaps six hundred thousand
qualified to vote, and there have never been more than four hundred
thousand votes cast in any presidential election.
The people enjoy play, and always welcome “_festa_” occasions. Holidays
are numerous and all join in their celebration. Brazil has two
independence days, the 7th of September and the 15th of November, which
are national holidays and universally celebrated. The carnival season,
however, which occurs the week preceding Lent, is the occasion of the
greatest merrymaking. It lasts for three whole days in Rio de Janeiro,
and, during that time, business is wholly suspended in the cities. There
are processions with music, and the streets are full of people in mask
and gown, who dance and sing and blow horns and make disagreeable noises
in general. Disguised in dominoes and masks they blow their horns, talk
in falsetto voices, while the balconies and windows are filled with
crowds of onlookers, women and children being especially prominent. Few
people wear their best clothes, for it is the custom to squirt perfumed
water over passers-by from these balconies. This perfumed water is
contained in little leaden vials, which are sold at stands all over the
city. The streets are hung with the banners of all nations, little flags
and coloured lanterns, and have all the appearance of a gala occasion.
[Illustration: THE FIFTEENTH OF NOVEMBER IN SÃO PAULO.]
On the last of the three days a grand procession is held. It is a
procession of mounted military bands, men and women in ancient costume,
immense floats, _papier-mache_ figures, grotesque animal representations,
men burlesquing women actresses, and women dressed as pages. King
Carnival, upon a gorgeous throne, is always a part of the procession.
The procession winds in and around one street after another, along
the Avenida Central and the Beira Mar, and often takes hours to pass a
given point. At night masquerade balls at the various theatres end the
gaieties. The galleries and boxes are always filled with an interested
audience, but the floor is given up to revelry and suggestive dancing,
which would not merit the approval of polite society.