ESPIRITO SANTO - BRAZIL |
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Espírito Santo is one of the
states of southeastern Brazil, often referred to by the
abbreviation "ES". Those who are born in the state are known
as Capixabas.
Location
This Brazilian state is in the east of the southeastern
subdivision of Brazil, which also contains the states of São
Paulo, Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro. It has as its limits
the Atlantic Ocean (E), the state of Bahia (N), the state of
Minas Gerais (N) and (W), and the state of Rio de Janeiro
(S). Espírito Santo's main cities (outside of the Greater
Vitoria region) are Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, Colatina,
Guarapari, Linhares, Muniz Freire and Vila Velha. |
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Capixabas
There are doubts as to the origin of the term Capixabas, as those born in ES
are called. Some say that it derives from the name of a local tribe, from
when the Portuguese arrived in the area during the colonial period. A more
accepted explanation states that the local Amerindians gave the name to the
inhabitants of Vitória island, which means plantation or even corn
plantation, as plantations of various crops were interspersed with their
houses.
Ethnic groups
Amerindians
Capixabas represent today a great miscellany of races. For instance, the
Amerindians have largely been absorbed into other Portuguese and African-origin
Brazilians, and very few still live in reservations following subsistence
farming methods and trying to preserve their fragile culture. A number of
towns in Espírito Santo were founded with primarily Amerindian populations,
such as Serra and Santa Cruz. Native food has made its way permanently into
Capixaba life, featuring the fish-based Moqueca Capixaba as the state dish.
Italians
Italians are very present in Capixaba society, and they founded many towns
in the state. There are still a number of traditional Italian dance groups
in the state and Italian culture festivals, such as the one in the town of
Venda Nova do Imigrante. Italian food is also a large part of Capixaba
cuisine, and even industry. Italian cheeses like Mozzarella are produced
locally, and pasta is also made, with Firenze Pastas being a local producer.
Small scale farming turned towards agrotourism is today returning to Italian
roots to exploit that market and today is another prominent aspect of
Capixaba life.
Germans
A big local influence, Germans were among the first colonists to cultivate
land away from the coastal zone. Like the Italian community, they still hold
on to many aspects of their homeland culture, still having active
traditional dance groups and festivals such as Sommerfest in Domingos
Martins. Some groups still speak Pomeranian, and some still don't speak
Portuguese. |
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