Brazilian Who?

Roots of Brazil are trying to take hold in the American Midwest,
but will Brazilian expatriates nurture those roots?
In Indiana, a new influx of Brazilians could permanently alter
stereotypes of Brazil and Brazilians that
are founded in ignorance and misinformation.

Phillip Wagner

On an unusually warm Saturday evening this past October, Brazilian festivities commenced in the Indianapolis, Indiana Westin Hotel Grand Ballroom. The event took place within walking distance of where, some two decades earlier, Latin Americans of all stripes and persuasions were honored in perpetuity along with their North American counterparts. Indianapolis, at that time, had dedicated the Pan Am Plaza to memorialize its hosting of the tenth Pan American games which, by all accounts, were a great success. Those games, in retrospect, seem to have been something of an omen. For the Latin American population of Indianapolis has literally exploded in the years following. Few people living in central Indiana at that time would have forecast the need for printing Bureau of Motor Vehicles instructions for license plate renewal in both Spanish and English. Fewer still might have been able to guess that local fire and police departments, as well as hospitals, would seek out bilingual candidates and volunteers to satisfy a growing need to respond to emergencies where and/or when, English might not be spoken.

Indianapolis, after all, isn't Santa Fe, New Mexico, San Diego, California, Miami, Florida or Brownsville, Texas. Indianapolis then was about as black and white as the checkered flags used to acknowledge completion of 200 laps at the world famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway. And when it became obvious that central Indiana was beginning to reflect a more Latin American influence, residents and local television newscasts continued to focus on the annual influx of seasonal Mexican migrant workers, although that was really nothing new. When "Grand Bazaar Brazil" was decided on as the theme for a HealthNet Foundation annual fundraiser supporting area HealthNet Community Health Centers no one anticipated so enthusiastic a response. And, especially, no one expected to see so large a number of locally residing Brazilians in attendance. Who are these people, and where have they come from? First things first.

HealthNet Foundation, is presided over by Executive Director Hikmet Kutlu, an immigrant from Turkey. Hikmet initiated and oversees the annual "Grand Bazaar" fundraiser, which each year takes on the flavor of another country. Eli Lilly & Company, Clarion Health and Bank One were gold sponsors for the event this year. The President and CEO of Eli Lilly, a company that has proven itself to be a good community partner throughout its global domain, is Sydney Taurel. As it happens, Sydney's wife, Kathy, is from Rio. Sydney and Kathy served as Honorary Chair for the event, along with the Brazilian Ambassador, Senator and Mrs. Richard Lugar, Governor and Mrs. Frank O'Bannon, Mayor and Mrs. Bart Peterson and two other couples.

But more significantly, Kathy Taurel was the Event Co-Chair, along with Alpha Blackburn. Other Brazilians, like Adriana de Aguiar, served as Goodwill Ambassadors of Brazil. Few stones were left unturned to ensure the success of this event for what most everyone expected to be a pretty much non-Brazilian audience receiving their first real exposure to Brazilian food and culture. The number of seats and tables far exceeded any previous Grand Bazaar and an aura of Brazil in Indiana permeated the premises. Ironically, Brazil, Indiana, is only about an hour west of Indianapolis!

On entering the Westin attendees were directed upstairs where the pre-event mixer was conducted in open spaces displaying fine works of art depicting Brazilian culture, matted photographs of African Brazilian Bahia, Brazilian flags, a display of Brazilian gemstones and two tables dedicated to Partners of the Americas. An authentic, and appropriately attired, gaúcho greeted all arrivals. Indiana, after all, is a Partner State to Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil.

Thanks primarily to the hard work of Adriana de Aguiar, a number of Brasileiras dressed in regional Brazilian traditional and Carnaval costumes circulated among the delighted crowd whose expressions revealed a sense of unexpected discovery. At least one of Adriana's troupe was, naturally, emulating Carmen Miranda. Curiosities were piqued. Lampião was also there, handing out Senhor do Bonfim fitas of various colors while at the same time explaining the tradition and instructing fascinated patrons as to how the "wish bracelets" should be knotted.

Only later would the feast of Brazil be revealed in all its glory. Croquete de carne, bolinho de bacalhau, coxinha de galinha, caipirinha, moqueca de frutos do mar, salada de palmito, pão de queijo, arroz à brasileira, tutu à mineira, churrasco de filé, couve à mineira, farofa, molho vinagrete and suco de maracujá opened many eyes, triggered many smiles and sated many hungers. And yes, the moqueca was complete with oil of dendê! But the highlight of the evening for me, and I must believe for many if not most of those in attendance, was the performance of Roots of Brazil, directed by Lygya Barreto.

Roots of Brazil, Inc. or Roots was founded in 1984 as a New York City not-for-profit performing arts organization to provide North Americans with an opportunity to discover something more of Brazil's unique cultural heritage. The rich tapestry of 500 years of indigenous, Portuguese, African, European and Asian influences form the basis of its authentic dance, music and theater performances, lectures, demonstrations and outreach programs. The high caliber of Roots performances is reflected by the fact that Lincoln Center, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Carnegie Hall, the Annenberg Center, Radio City Music Hall and the United Nations have all hosted its performances, and to rave reviews.

Artistic Director Lygya was once dance instructor for the previously mentioned Adriana de Aguiar, who happened to run into her here in the U.S. Lygya, who is from Rio, was discovered by performing artist Alvin Ailey on his first company tour of Brazil in 1987. She began her dance career in Bahia studying Afro-Brazilian Dance under the tutelage of the highly respected Master King. In 1974 she joined the University Dance Company of Bahia, and later served as featured soloist for performing arts companies in Salvador, São Paulo, Rio and London before moving to New York.

For Grand Bazaar Brazil, Roots featured portions of its Afro Brazil Production, which introduces various aspects of African cultural influences. Lygya and Roots introduced historical foundations of those influences including capoeira, traditional samba, maculelê (African stick dance), the afoxé musical style and influences of candomblé religious ceremonies. Traditional instruments were explained and everyone in the hall was encouraged to participate by providing accompanying chorus and rhythmic clapping. Enthusiasm rippled through the hall like a tsunami. The athleticism and flawless execution of Roots performers was enough to impress even the most knowledgeable and indoctrinated fan of Brazilian performing arts.

Roots of Brazil was the perfect "main attraction" for Grand Bazaar Brazil. I conclude this not only because of their incredible talent and impressive delivery, but also because a legitimately significant Brazilian community has lain down Brazilian roots here. I'd long been aware of the surprisingly large Brazilian student population at Indiana University, a school that is a perennial contender for the NCAA national soccer championship, and its very well organized Brazilian Student Union, BAIU. BAIU hosts well attended annual churrascos and other events and maintains an impressive mailing list under the Braznet national internet umbrella. And the annual autumn Lotus Festival at Indiana University always seems to include a Brazilian presence.

Several years ago that was Olodum, the Bahian drum corps that backed up Paul Simon on Rhythm of the Saints. But I now realized that Indianapolis itself was home to far more Brazilians than anyone seemed to have realized. This community could permanently alter stereotypes of Brazil and Brazilians that are founded in ignorance and misinformation; and many of the Brazilians in attendance seemed to share this thought. That, in itself, was not surprising, but the number of Brazilians in that community was.

To my own amazement, and that of the general Consul of the Brazilian Consulate in Chicago who was in attendance, there were indeed many Brazilians at the Bazaar. A large number of Brazilians in Indianapolis are employed by Eli Lilly & Company, and virtually all of them are from São Paulo. But there was a large contingent whose origins, spouses and/or family are connected to Bahia. And yet more came from Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, Rio Grande do Sul and states in the North and Northeast. How had it happened that so many Brazilians had relocated here so undetected?

The primary "problem", if I may refer to it as such, seems to be that this (Brazilian) community has no annual signature event to pull it together and generate an awareness of its presence in the larger community. Adriana and others have made attempts to establish a Brazilian Cultural Association, BrazIndy, which might serve as a common focal point. But, to date, the selfless willingness to allow the group to chart its own course has been lacking. The "collective will" must be allowed its own direction in order to establish itself with a sense of permanence. But at times there seems to be an excess of over-investment in personal priorities regarding what the character of such an organization should be.

I've heard complaints that "Brazilians are simply not used to volunteering", which I think is a fair and objective observation. I've also noted that many local Brazilians, at this point, are really only looking for some way to connect with other Brazilians. Perhaps first establishing a "sense of common identity" might serve to create a critical mass of "Brazilian-ness" more predisposed to later respond more favorably to ambitious and demanding opportunities. And I'm aware that, in some cases, offers from non-Brazilians to help organize Brazilian activities are not always welcomed, even in instances where the non-Brazilian is engaged to marry a Brasileira.

I can't help but wonder whether this pattern is being repeated in other cities of similar size where the Brazilian population is larger than had been realized, but not so noticeably significant as say in Miami, Washington D.C., Boston or Los Angeles. I can't help but wonder how it is being dealt with in other places. More importantly though, I wonder whether local Brazilians will find a way to nurture the "roots of Brazil" that have been established here (and/or there), such as they are.

Footnote: If you wish to learn more about Roots you should take time to visit their Website at http://rootsofbrazil.com/ . To contact Roots or make a tax-deductible contribution to their educational program, or performances, you may contact them by postal mail or e-mail at: Roots of Brazil, 575 Warren Street #3L Brooklyn, NY 11217, Tel: 718/622-1561, Fax: 718/222-4524, E-mail: roots@rootsofbrazil.com

The author is a freelance photojournalist and regular contributor to Brazzil. Phillip has an extensive Brazil Website at http://www.iei.net/~pwagner/brazilhome.htm that includes photographs, recipes, information on the unique Afro-Bloco movement in Salvador, Bahia and more. He can be reached by e-mail at pwagner@iei.net

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