Culture and Social Development
A country is nothing without its people, and South America is known for its most famous, noteworthy, influential people.
Image: http://www.donquijote.org/culture/spain/society/customs/latin-american-influences.asp
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Penelope Cruz, Marc Anthony, Salma Hayek, Eva Longoria, Javier Bardem, Antonio Banderas, Benicio del Toro, Robert Rodriguez George Lopez, and Jennifer Lopez are just a few of the biggest influences in film. Music, entertainment, comedy, newspapers and magazines, and even marketing have been changed and improved with the influence of South America. Lionel Sosa, a marketing consultant, and many companies like Latinvox, Ron Bacardí, Goya Foods, Tampico Beverages Inc. or Univision Radio have even affected the business world of the America.
don quijote. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.donquijote.org/culture/spain/society/customs/latin-american-influences.asp |
Demographics and Social ConditionsAn aspect of South America that is fairly unique is the "hollow continent" settlement pattern. Most of the country's population resides around the edges of the land mass, on the coast. "The highest population densities are found in the old Indian core areas of the Andes, the former slave areas of northeastern Brazil, and the areas of European immigration in southern Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina" ("South America," 2013).
"South America." (2013). Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/555844/South-America/41817/Demographic-patterns Like its neighboring country, South America is becoming more and more consumer-oriented. By items on credit or by installments is common. Euromonitor International. "Consumer Lifestyles in Brazil." (2012, October 10). MarketResearch.com. Retrieved from http://www.marketresearch.com/Euromonitor-International-v746/Consumer-Lifestyles-Brazil-7169459/ |
Image: https://sites.google.com/a/worldprogressinstitute.org/www/spring2007
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Religion in South AmericaSouth America is known for its Roman Catholic origins and even today, where recent generation have become less tied down by one religion, it is still consistently the favored denomination. Before Catholicism was introduced, South Americans practiced ancient traditions initiated by the Incan. Before Spanish conquerors arrived, the Incan religious tradition thrived. They performed many rituals that were centered on the people's agriculture and their dedication to the gods, who were represented by animals like jaguars and snakes as well as substantial objects like the sun. The Incan people built temples and shrines and had priests that were said to be called by Viracocha, the creator himself, to conduct the worship services and preside over the people. Sacrifice was a key component to Incan worship. They sacrificed llamas, guinea pigs, special foods, and cocoa. The sacrifices even, at times, extended to humans. When South America was colonized by Spain, the Spanish brought their religion with them. The Roman Catholic influence of the Spanish began to spread and today around 82% of the whole continent is Catholic. In Guyana and Suriname, Christianity is a dominant religion. Much of the population in these two countries have ancestors who were former slaves in Europe. Although Europeans did not directly teach slaves their beliefs, Christianity grew to become an important part of many slaves' lives and they brought their faith with them to South America. Christianity has spread from Guyana and Suriname, but Catholicism is still very strong in most places.
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*Bottom left corner displays the religion distribution of South America
Image Resource: http://www.nairaland.com/1042624/nigerians-other-africans-must-stop/4 |
South America's social development and culture are affected by its religion. The attitudes and motivation of South Americans are influenced by their faith. From birth to death Catholics go through rituals at important times in their lives. They are affected by their religious identity and realize in order to truly embrace their religion they need to take care of each other. There is great positive influence of their Catholic beliefs. There are many Catholic universities in South America, with 7 in Argentina alone. Religion plays an active role in the lives of South Americans and affects their choices in lifestyle and education.
There are many sacred places in South America that people visit through pilgrimages. After Catholicism was established by the Spanish, many beautiful churches and shrines were created. Our Lady of Good Success is a shrine built in Quito, Ecuador. Sisters from Spain traveled to Quito to establish a convent there in an effort to convert South Americans. Before Catholicism, a very sacred place in South America was the Inca temple Coricancha, or Temple of the Sun, which was actively used and honored until the Spanish invasion. Catholicism is a worldwide religion and there are many holy places outside of South America. The Holy Land, Jerusalem and Bethlehem, are sacred to Catholics. Rome is also sacred because of the work and martyrdom of Peter and Paul. There are also many Catholic shrines throughout the United States, like the Queen of the Holy Rosary in Necedah, Wisconsin and Our Lady of Fatima National Shrine in New York. There are numerous places in Europe as well, like Gibraltar, Europe, home of the statue of Our Lady of Europe at the Cathedral of St. Mary the Crowned.
In the 1970's and 1980's, the Catholic Church as a FBO (Faith-based organization) encouraged citizens to fight their dictatorships and defend their human rights. Catholicism has affected government and the legal structure of the continent. There is often tension between the government and the church over certain issues, but in general the two work together. Decisions on Abortion and other issues are influenced by the church. Previous leaders of countries in South America may have been elected in the people's attempt to uphold Catholic beliefs. Some speculate that the principle that we must take care of the least among us lead to the election of Hugo Chavez and Evo Morales, leaders who are less than desirable by US government standards and others. So in general, Catholicism has encouraged South Americans to fight for what they believe in, even if it is against the government (like issues of divorce, prostitution, and religious education that became prevalent and controversial in the 1950's), but Catholicism has also lead to some poor decision in government control.
Resources:
South american. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.patheos.com/Library/South-American.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Guyana
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_South_AmericaDe Kadt, E. (2009) ‘Should God play a role in development?’ Journal of International Development 21(6): 781-786.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholicism_in_Argentina
http://catholicism.org/catholic-pilgrimage-a-spiritual-journey.html
http://newagetravel.com/southam.shtml
http://www.catholicity.com/links/142/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_Europe
http://larry50.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/role-of-religion-in-latin-america/
There are many sacred places in South America that people visit through pilgrimages. After Catholicism was established by the Spanish, many beautiful churches and shrines were created. Our Lady of Good Success is a shrine built in Quito, Ecuador. Sisters from Spain traveled to Quito to establish a convent there in an effort to convert South Americans. Before Catholicism, a very sacred place in South America was the Inca temple Coricancha, or Temple of the Sun, which was actively used and honored until the Spanish invasion. Catholicism is a worldwide religion and there are many holy places outside of South America. The Holy Land, Jerusalem and Bethlehem, are sacred to Catholics. Rome is also sacred because of the work and martyrdom of Peter and Paul. There are also many Catholic shrines throughout the United States, like the Queen of the Holy Rosary in Necedah, Wisconsin and Our Lady of Fatima National Shrine in New York. There are numerous places in Europe as well, like Gibraltar, Europe, home of the statue of Our Lady of Europe at the Cathedral of St. Mary the Crowned.
In the 1970's and 1980's, the Catholic Church as a FBO (Faith-based organization) encouraged citizens to fight their dictatorships and defend their human rights. Catholicism has affected government and the legal structure of the continent. There is often tension between the government and the church over certain issues, but in general the two work together. Decisions on Abortion and other issues are influenced by the church. Previous leaders of countries in South America may have been elected in the people's attempt to uphold Catholic beliefs. Some speculate that the principle that we must take care of the least among us lead to the election of Hugo Chavez and Evo Morales, leaders who are less than desirable by US government standards and others. So in general, Catholicism has encouraged South Americans to fight for what they believe in, even if it is against the government (like issues of divorce, prostitution, and religious education that became prevalent and controversial in the 1950's), but Catholicism has also lead to some poor decision in government control.
Resources:
South american. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.patheos.com/Library/South-American.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Guyana
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_South_AmericaDe Kadt, E. (2009) ‘Should God play a role in development?’ Journal of International Development 21(6): 781-786.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholicism_in_Argentina
http://catholicism.org/catholic-pilgrimage-a-spiritual-journey.html
http://newagetravel.com/southam.shtml
http://www.catholicity.com/links/142/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_Europe
http://larry50.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/role-of-religion-in-latin-america/
Image: http://www.patheos.com/Library/South-American.html http://www.plu.edu/~qinya/home.html
Role of WomenJust as in many other countries, in South American women have fought for equality. Today, women make up 40% of the workforce in Latin America, but many women still cannot get jobs. Women have property rights, but have less resources than men. A large indication of women's rights and a reflection of how they are treated in South America is their reproductive rights. Abortion is illegal and their rights are limited.
In general, men is possessive greater power and influence. Goodman, D. (2009, March 13). Dissident voice. Retrieved from http://dissidentvoice.org/2009/03/the-struggle-for-womens-equality-in-latin-america/ |
Image: http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2012/08/29/women-play-key-role-in-economic-gains-in-latin-american-and-caribbean
FOOD!Some of South America's key staples are:
Blazes, M. (2011). About.com. Retrieved from http://southamericanfood.about.com/od/exploresouthamericanfood/a/history.htm |
Image of Yuca:
http://mrgiftcateringservices-trinidad.blogspot.com/2011/03/yuca-frita-fried-cassava.html |
Image of Peppers:
http://ecosalon.com/easy-gardening/ |
Recipe for Bandeja Paisa
Bandeja Paisa is a Colombian dish containing a mixture of foods on more of a platter than a plate. It is arguably the national dish of Colombia.
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Food in South AmericaSouth America primarily grows their own food. They grow lots of variety of food, including corn, rice, beans, jalopenos, avocados, soybeans, coffee, potatoes, bananas, oranges, sugar cane, and cocoa.
South American cuisine today has exciting flavors. They sometimes eat alpaca meat, many grains like guinoa and kiwicha, and tubers like yuca and maca but in new, sophisticated ways. Argentina is famous for its beef and asado, which is an elaborate meal made with grilled meat. Chile has great seafood, stews and pasteles, empanadas (stuffed pastries), pisco, excellent wines, and grilled meats like Patagonia. Brazil has great cheese bread often paired with the main course for dinners, and a traditional meal in Brazil is feijoada, a meal with black beans and meat. References: Blazes, M. An Introduction to South American Food. April 28, 2013. Retrieved from http://southamericanfood.about.com/od/exploresouthamericanfood/a/history.htm Explore South American Food. April 28, 2013. Retrieved from http://southamericanfood.about.com/od/exploresouthamericanfood/Explore_South_American_Food_History_Ingredients_and_Basic_Recipes.htm |
a recipe from the Food Network by Mama Vieja Restaurant
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/40-a-day/bandeja-paisa-recipe/index.html |
Feijoada: a Brazilian dish
Image of Feijoada: http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/feijoada_brazilian_black_bean_stew/ |
Resources on South American CultureMaps of the World: South American Culture
Traditions http://www.mapsofworld.com/south-america/culture/ National Geographic: South America Photos, Articles, Facts http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/continents/south-america/ |