In Brazil Indigenous Peoples Day (), 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
The Americas, sometimes collectively called America, are a landmass comprising the totality of North America and South America.''Webster's New World College Dictionary'', 2010 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio. When viewed as a sing ...
decided to attend the First Inter-American Indian Congress, held in
Mexico
Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country in North America. It is the northernmost country in Latin America, and borders the United States to the north, and Guatemala and Belize to the southeast; while having maritime boundar ...
.
The observance name was changed from "Indian Day" () in 2022.
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.
It is common to see celebrations in
states with a relatively large indigenous population, such as
Mato Grosso
Mato Grosso ( – ) is one of the states of Brazil, the List of Brazilian states by area, third largest by area, located in the Central-West Region, Brazil, Central-West region. The state has 1.66% of the Brazilian population and is responsible ...
,
Mato Grosso do Sul,
Pará
Pará () is a Federative units of Brazil, state of Brazil, located in northern Brazil and traversed by the lower Amazon River. It borders the Brazilian states of Amapá, Maranhão, Tocantins (state), Tocantins, Mato Grosso, Amazonas (Brazilian st ...
,
Goiás
Goiás () is a Brazilian States of Brazil, state located in the Central-West Region, Brazil, Central-West region. Goiás borders the Federal District (Brazil), Federal District and the states of (from north clockwise) Tocantins, Bahia, Minas Ge ...
,
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 the national foundation
FUNAI. 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.
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
{{DEFAULTSORT:Indigenous Peoples In Brazil
Indigenous peoples in Brazil
Indigenous peoples days
April observances