Harvard University Department of Romance Languages and Literatures
   Home > Resources > Portuguese > Popular Culture

Portuguese Popular Culture

GENERAL RELIGION COMICS MUSIC FILMS
RADIO & TELEVISION VISUAL ARTS HISTORY
SPORTS GASTRONOMY

GENERAL

Popular Culture /General

A Diáspora
Maintained by a Portuguese-speaking community in Toronto, "seeks to create a cybernaut space that will promote Lusitanity in its multiplicity."

A HEBRAICA - Sao Paulo
A portal for the Jewish community in Sao Paulo and Brazil.

Art & Cult
Contemporary Brazilian art and culture.

ArteNaWeb
Information on Brazilian art, music and literature.

BrazilMax
“The hip Gringo's guide to Brazilian culture and society”.

Brasil: Cultural Information by Sergio Koreisa
A comprehensive website of Brazilian popular arts and culture with many useful links. Highly recommended.

Caboverde.com - Cape Verdean community in the US
History and geography of Cape Verde, as well news, travel, shopping and upcoming activities tailored to the Cape Verdean Community across America.

Cape Verde Islands
Multiple links to other Cape Verdean Websites. Information on history, travel, music, government, and photos. Listen to Cape Verde's national anthem and some of Cesaria Evora's songs, Cape Verde's most famous singer.

Cabo Verde 24 - First portal of Cape Verde/Cabo Verde Islands
This website provides excellent links to cultural events, artists, radio programs, related books, CDs, and discussion forums.

Centro Cultural Sao Paulo - Brazil
This cultural center in Sao Paulo hosts multiple theater dance and music shows, as well as cinema and visual arts expositions.

Cultura-e - Bank of Brazil
Bank of Brazil website, provides thorough information on arts & cultural events around Brazil; sorted by regions and major cities.

Culturatura - O caminho do saber (Brazil)
A portal devoted to education and general culture, including literature, history, flora and fauna of Brazil. Highly recommended.

ECCO! A Comunidade Italiana Online
A portal for the Italian-Brazilian community living in Brazil and abroad.

Folclore General (Brazil)
Learn about several aspects of Brazilian folklore including music, dances, proverbs, and other interesting facts. Highly recommended.

Itau Cultural (Brazil)
Non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting and diffusing Brazilian culture both in Brazil and abroad.

Macao Cultural Center
Official website of Macao's cultural center. Information on current and upcoming artistic events, conferences and exhibitions is provided.

Maria-Brazil Home of Brazilian Culture on the Web
Current news on Brazil's arts & entertainment.

Medicinal Plants (Brazil)
A guide to popular plants used in Brazil for house remedies and homeopathic medicine.

Net Angola
Basic information: maps, sports, fishing, business page; Internet provider based in Portugal

Nordeste Web (Brazil)
Internet portal to information and links of Northeast Brazil.

Novacultura (Germany)
This website provides information on contemporary literary works from Portugal and Lusophone Africa as well as useful links country by country.

Palacio das Artes - Fundacao Clovis Salgado (Brazil)
Located in Minas Gerais, one of the most complete centers for artistic productions throughout Latin America.

Portal Afro (Brazil)
A portal for African-Brazilian history and culture.

Supergoa.com (Goa)
Current arts & living news, from Goa.

Ucranianos no Brasil
A portal for the Ukranian community in Brazil.

RELIGION

Beit Chaba - Sua referencia judaica na Internet
An online reference to Judaism in Portuguese.

Judaism in Brazil - A bibliography
Complete history, links, and other resources.

Candomble - Uma religiao sem misterios a servico do povo
Learn about Candomble, religion whose roots stem to Africa.

Catolica Net
Current news focused on the Catholic church in Brazil and worldwide.

Ibe Axe Opo Afonja - Candomblé
The word 'candomblé' is synonymous with African religion. It was always used in this sense, and still is today. Learn about Candomble in this well-designed website.

OriishaNet - Guide on Santeria
Provides information on the Brazilian and Cuban art of Santeria.

Link to page listing various religious sites

COMICS

Bedeteca de Lisboa
The only library in Portugal devoted to comics and caricatures. Lots of good links and resources.

Humor Tadela
One of the greatest humorous sites of Brazil; includes jokes and cartoons to download.

Niquel Nausea
Brazilian comic strip about an irreverent (and quite cynical) rat that hates Mickey Mouse.

Nitrocomics (Brazil)
An excellent website with several popular comics like "Os Macacos" and "El Mexicano" and others.

Turma da Mônica
The website of Mônica and her friends, the creation of Maurício de Souza, one of the most famous Brazilian cartoonists, includes games, greeting cards and films to download.

MUSIC

Afromix
This server is devoted to the promotion of the Afro-Caribbean culture by means of it's music. Information on individual artists and their albums is provided. This website is an excellent resource for Lusophone Africa (includes Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Angola, and Cape Verde). In English & French.

Amalia - Estranha forma de vida (Brazil)
Life and discography of Amalia Rodrigues, one of Brazil's most celebrated singers.

Amandio Cabral: Cape Verdean Music
Capeverdian musician and composer Cabral now makes his home in San Francisco. Audio clips, news, interviews. CDs can be ordered from the site.

Arquivo de musica de lingua portuguesa (Portugal)
A comprehensive database of Portuguese music with links to other pertinent websites, highly recommended.

Brazilian Music - Samba, Bossa-Nova, Brazilian Jazz
A site devoted to promote important Brazilian music artists as well as Brazilian culture.

Brazilian Music and Culture (Brazil)
Focusing on popular Brazilian music this website has an extensive catalogue of typical music, as well as artist and lyrics information. Affiliated with amazon.com.

Brazilian Popular Music
Excellent reference on Brazilian popular music. This comprehensive dictionary was created by the Instituto Cultural Cravo Albin, in Rio de Janeiro..

Caetano Veloso (Brazil)
Life, discography and photo galleries of Caetano Veloso (1942- ), famous composer/singer of popular Brazilian music.

Cape Verdean Music (UMass)
An overview of Cape Verdean music including its major composers, singers, current events and future directions.

Cazuza (Brazil)
Official website of Cazuza, popular Brazilian Rock band.

Cesaria Evora, Cape Verdean Vocalist
Official website of Cape Verde's most renowned singer: Her career, discography, audio and video clips (nice on a fast connection), as well as tour news.

Chico Buarque (Brazil)
Life and discography of Francisco Buarque (1944- ), famous composer/singer of popular Brazilian music.

Chico Cesar (Brazil)
Official website of Chico Cesar, Jazz/New Age Brazilian music singer.

Cidade Negra (Brazil)
Official webiste of Cidade Negra, New Age Brazilian music band.

CliqueMusic
Website devoted to current news of Brazilian artists and the Brazilian music industry. Audio clips available for listening.

Diavan
Official website of Djavan, one of the most talented musicians in Brazil, it includes his biography and discography.

Ed Motta (Brazil)
Official website of Ed Motta, New Age Brazilian music singer.

Fado
Here you can listen to fado in audio format.

Fado of Coimbra (Portugal)
Learn about the famous Portuguese guitar songs from the Region of Coimbra.

Fernanda Abreu (Brazil)
Official website of Fernanda Abreu, singer of New Age Brazilian music.

Gabriel O Pensador (Brazil)
Official website of Gabriel O Pensador, New Age Brazilian music singer.

Gilberto Gil (Brazil)
Life and discography of Gilberto Gil (1942- ), famous composer/singer of popular Brazilian music.

Goan Music Online
As a result of 450 years of colonization by the Portuguese, Goan music has evolved to a form that is quite a bit different from traditional Indian music. In this website you will have an opportunity to sample some traditional and more modern Goan music.

Grupo de Poesia, Guitarra, e Flauta (Portugal)
Founded in 1984, this ensemble is known for its promotion of the Portuguese guitar.

Iraci Galvao Salles: Projetos de Pesquisa em Historia da Cultura (Brazil)
Discographies, lyrics, biographies, audio clips, and archives pertaining to early twentieth century Brazilian music; highly recommended.

Jose Afonso - Vida e Obra (Portugal)
Biography and selected lyrics from Jose Afonso (1929- ), famous singer from the region of Coimbra.

Julio Pereira (Portugal)
Life and discography of Julio Pereira, composer and singer of traditional Portuguese music.

The life and work of Heitor Villa-Lobos (1881-1959)
Learn about the life and work of famous Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos and the various regions of Brazil whose folklore and traditions inspired this famous musician.

Lulu Santos (Brazil)
Official website of Lulu Santos, Brazilian Rock singer.

Madredeus (Portugal)
Official website of the Portuguese band "Madredeus" (popular/modern Portuguese music).

Marisa Monte (Brazil)
Discography and current news on Marisa Monte, singer of popular Brazilian music.

Maianga (Brazil)
Browse and sample current Brazilian music and literature.

Midi Page Portugal
A collection of traditional and original Portuguese songs in midi files.

Milton Nascimento
Unofficial website of the world famous Brazilian singer and composer Milton Nascimento.

MPBNet (Brazil)
A comprehensive guide to Brazilian music sorted by region, style or artist..

Pato Fu (Brazil)
Official website of Pato Fu, Bazilian rock band.

Reviviendo Musicas (Brazil)
Focusing on popular and typical Brazilian music, this website offers current news, biographies, discographies and lyrics.

Rita Lee (Brazil)
Discography and current news on Rita Lee, singer of popular Brazilian music.

Tchando
Guinea Bissau musician, Salvador 'Tchando' Embalo, grew up in the town of Bafata, now lives in Europe. Biography, lyrics, discography, album covers, etc.

Trama
Portal to popular artists and Brazilian music, including biographies, discographies and audio clips.

Viva Musica (Brazil)
A portal for classical music news and events in Brazil.

Worldwide Samba Homepage
Aficionados of Brazilian Samba around the world have cooperated to bring together the most comprehensive list of samba links and connections anywhere in the world. If it has to do with samba, you'll probably find it via these pages.

Zelia Duncan (Brazil)
Official website of Zelia Duncan, New Age Brazilian music singer.

Zizi Possi (Brazil)
Discography, photo galleries and current news on Zizi Possi, singer of popular Brazilian music.

FILM

Adoro Cinema Brasileiro
Website dedicated to the promotion of Brazilian cinema. Includes selected artists biographies, film information, as well us upcoming film festivals throughout Brazil.

Associação brasileira de cinematografia (Brazil)
News, photo archives, film festivals and award ceremonies pertaining to Brazilian film.

Cine Brazil
Features current and upcoming Brazilian films; interviews, review articles, photo archives are also included.

Cinema Brazil
Website is available both in English and Portuguese. It includes current film news, interviews, and photo archives, as well as an extensive Brazilian film database.

Cinema Novo (Brazil)
Excellent discussion on distinct film genres is provided. Website also includes film database information, as well as artists and director's biographical information.

Cinemateca Brasileira
Government website (Ministry of Culture) tailored to the preservation and promotion of classic Brazilian cinema.

Fernanda Montenegro (Brazil)
The biography and work of Fernanda Montenegro (1953 - ), celebrated theater and film artist.

Funarte/Decine - Centro Tecnico Audiovisual
Governmental organization centered in perfecting and promoting the technical quality of Brazilian film.

Hector Babenco (Brazil)
Website dedicated to the life and work of Argentinian film director Hector Babenco (1948 - ), whose contributions to Brazilian cinema have been invaluable.

Mnemocine (Brazil)
Private cultural organization focusing on Brazilian cinema, photography and audiovisuals.

OFF On-Line
Cinema journal.

Projeto Cultural CinemaBrasil na Internet
A non-governmental project devoted to the promotion and distribution of Brazilian cinema.

Spiamedia Productions Inc.
Film company founded by Cape Verdean Dr. Claire Andrade-Watkins, tailored to the Cape Verdean community in America. Films distributed include Sarraounia (Director: Med Hondo, based on the true story of the 19th century Queen of the Aznas, Sarraounia, who was trained from birth as a warrior and leader), Testamento (soundtrack scored by Cape Verdean musician Tito Paris, and features an appearance by Cesaria Evora), Spirit of Cape Verde (celebrates the bonds between New England, Cape Verde and President Pereira's historic first state visit to the United States in l983).

RADIO & TELEVISION

TV Cultura (Brazil)
Cultural programming, listen to live radio.

VISUAL ARTS

Artes.com (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Tailored for Rio de Janeiro this website focuses on the art of Samba and her respective "Samba Schools". Includes information on artists, samba schools, as well as current related news.

Art Bonobo
Journal of Brazilian contemporary art.

Carnaval (Brazil)
This website provides general information on the carnaval tradition across various cities throughout the world, including the famous Rio de Janeiro Carnaval. An unofficial "city guide" of Rio de Janeiro is also included.

Dalal Achcar (Brazil)
Learn about Dalal Achcar, Brazilian ballet dancer, and founder of the Ballet of Rio de Janeiro..

Fundacao Casa Franca - Brazil
Owned by the state government of Rio de Janeiro, and affiliated to the Culture Ministry, this house offers to the general public visual arts productions, as well as art expositions.

Goa Art
An online exhibition of Goa's contemporary artists as well as literature reviews on latest publications.

Inforarte (Portugal)
A web database and gallery of different Portuguese visual artists.

Instituto de Artes (Brazil):
Part of the National University of Brasilia, this Institute was created with the aim of researching, compiling, educating and promoting Brazil's cultural heritage through its various artistic manifestations including painting, music, and dance amongst others.

Instituto Português de Museus (IPM) - Portugal
National museum directory with links to individual websites.

Macao's Art Museum
Official website, provides detailed information on current museum collections, as well as prior and upcoming art exhibitions.

The Museum of Macao
At this website one can trace the history, popular arts and traditions of Macao from its very beginnings to the present.

Paolo Fridman Photography (Brazil)
Brazilian born Paulo Fridman is one of the most published brazilian photographers abroad; he lived, studied and worked in New York for six years. Based in São Paulo ,Brazil, he's beeing doing assignments for the most important magazines and corporations like Time,Newsweek, Forbes, Business Week, Fortune, The New York Times, Der Spiegel, Le Figaro,The Sunday Times ,Vogue, American Express, GE, IBM, Mercedes Benz, Embraer , Volkswagen etc.

Periscope - Casthalia Digital Art Studio
Published every six months, this magazine explores Brazil's contemporary art. Links to other websites on contemporary art can be also found.

Portal de Arte de Niteroi (Brazil)
Government website; provides thorough information on Brazilian arts, literature, and music.

Tarsila do Amaral (Brazil)
Official website of Tarsila do Amaral (1886-1973), one of Brazil's most celebrated modernist artists.

Teatro Brasileiro (Brazil)
Official website providing information on current theater productions and shows across Brazil.

Valeria Bortolotti - Sculptor (Portugal)
Born in 1957, Valeria Bortolotti is well known both nationally and internationally for her works.

HISTORY

Belo Horizonte - 100 Years of Industry
Through photo archives, this website traces the Industrial Revolution in Belo Horizonte, and its impact on the history of Brazil.

Comunismo (Brazil)
Website focused on the discussion of communism, its roots, major revolutions, and its presence in Brazil.

Historia de Sao Vicente (Brazil)
Founded in 1532, Sao Vicente constitutes one of the earliest Portuguese settlements in the New World, and as such has tremendous historical importance for Brazilians. Learn more about the history and geography of Sao Vicente in this unofficial website.

Historia do Rio Grande do Norte (Brazil)
The Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte has set up this comprehensive website about the history of this region from pre-history to the present.

Lampiao - Uma viagem pelo cangaco (Brazil)
Learn about the various bandits from Northeastern Brazil who lived in the 1920s and 30s and whose feats, whether good or bad, became legend in Brazilian popular culture.

NetHistoria (Brazil)
News on Brazilian and world history as well as archeological findings; also includes biographies, photo archives, essays and articles.

The obscure history of East Timor - University of Coimbra, Portugal
The first half of this work centers on the history, flora and fauna of East Timor, while the second half concentrates on East Timor's struggle for independence from Indonesia. Very comprehensive website.

The Triple Alliance War (1864-1870) - Brazil
Website dedicated to the history and discussion of the Triple Alliance War; fought by Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay against Paraguay.

World Heritage Sites in Brazil
This website provides historical information on Brazil's major urban centers, historical sites, and geographical areas centers with links to individual pages pertaining to the topic of interest.

SPORTS

Taiyando - Arte Marcial de Origem Brasileira
Based on Chinese martial arts "Taiyando" or "Road of the Sun" was developed as a personal defense method in Brazil.

Vaquejada (Brazil)
Learn about the sport of Vaquejada; includes general information and other links.

GASTRONOMY

Arte e Cozinha (Brazil)
Learn about the art of cooking; recipes for famous Brazilian dishes available in this website (Portuguese).

Atlas de Anatomia Vegetal (Brazil)
A guide to vegetarian cuisine, sorted by popular vegetables throughout Brazil.

Bom Apetite: Gastronomia e os descobrimientos (Portugal)
A series of recipes for entrees, main dishes and desserts from Portuguese cuisine.

Basilico - Gastronomy online (Brazil)
Brazilian cuisine news, recipes, and restaurant information online (in Portuguese).

CookBrazil - Brazilian food recipes
Brazilian dishes and recipes available in English.

Guarana - Everything you always wanted to know (US)
Information about the guarana, a unique and popular plant from Brazil.

Guia do Sabor - Sao Paulo (Brazil)
Brazilian and world cuisine recipes.

Hummmm…….esses doces (Brazil)
Visit this website for recipes on traditional desserts and candies from Brazil and worldwide.

Maria Cristina - Brazilian cookbook
Online Brazilian cuisine book recipe.

O Mundo do Bacalhau (Brazil)
Learn about the nutritional value of this fish, its history, as well as its central role in Brazilian and Portuguese cuisine.

Portuguese Restaurants in the Whole Wide World
This comprehensive website lists Portuguese Restaurants across the world by address and phone number.

Receitas do Luiz Cintra (Brazil)
Popular Brazilian and world cuisine recipes hosted by chef Luiz Cintra.

Roteiro Gastronomico de Portugal
Online recipes, featuring typical Portuguese cuisine.


Last updated on September 18, 2007