Culture in Latin America

1. Culture in Latin America Unit 3

2. Colonial Roots • Because of colonialism, the countries of Latin America have similar cultures • The colonial culture and the native culture mixed to create what we know today • In Brazil, three cultures (Native, Portuguese, and African) all mixed into one • In the Caribbean, the European influences mixed with the Native and the African

4. Language and Religion • Spanish is the main language of Latin America; other languages include English, Portuguese, Dutch, and French • Christianity, mainly Roman Catholicism, is the major religion of Spain and nearly all of Latin America

8. Music and Dance • The popular music in South America is a combination of Indian, European, and African • In the Caribbean, their music has roots in America, Spain, and Africa, such as the steel drum calypso music in Trinidad and reggae music in Jamaica • Brazil features music of the samba, which is a Brazilian dance with African influence

11. Salma Hayek, Rihanna, and Shakira were all born in Latin America

12. Food • Corn, potatoes, peppers, tropical fruit, quesoblanco/queso fresco, and yuca are all staples in the dishes made in South America such as tamales, ceviche, and feijoada • Seafood is also a staple especially in Central America and the Caribbean

14. Holidays and Festivals • http://gosouthamerica.about.com/od/culfiestas/Events_Fiestas_Festivals_and_Holidays_in_South_America.htm