Lebanese Brazilian
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
|
| Total population |
|---|
| 7,000,000 Lebanese Brazilians[1] |
| Regions with significant populations |
| Brazil:
Mainly Southeastern Brazil |
| Languages |
| Religion |
|
Christianity (mostly Roman Catholic), Islam |
| Related ethnic groups |
|
Other White Brazilian, Arab Brazilian |
A Lebanese Brazilian (Portuguese: Libanês Brasileiro) is a Brazilian person of full, partial, or predominantly Lebanese ancestry, or a Lebanese-born person immigrant in Brazil.
The population of Brazil identifying with either full or partial Lebanese descent is estimated at between 6 to 7 million people. This number of immigrants is larger than the population in Lebanon. Today, only a minority of these Brazilians of Lebanese descent still know and use their original Arabic language, most of them having shifted to Portuguese.
Immigration of the Lebanese (and Syrians) to Brazil started in the late 19th century, most of them coming from Lebanon and later from Syria. The immigration to Brazil grew further in the 20th century, and was concentrated in the state of São Paulo, but also extended to Minas Gerais, Goiás, Rio de Janeiro and other parts of Brazil.
Most Lebanese immigrants in Brazil were Christians. However, after the 1970s, a number of Muslims also immigrated.
Lebanese Arab culture has influenced many aspects of Brazil's culture. In big towns of Brazil it is easy to find restaurants of Lebanese food, and dishes, such as sfihas, hummus, kibbeh, tahina, tabbouleh and halwa are very well-known among Brazilians.
Most Lebanese immigrants in Brazil have worked as traders, roaming the vast country to sell textiles and clothes and open new markets. Lebanese-Brazilians are well integrated into Brazilian society. Many important Brazilians are of Lebanese descent, including important politicians, businessmen, artists and writers.
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