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Global Connections: What's up with Brazil and Nigeria?
On the surface, both Brazil and Nigeria may seem like they have absolutely nothing in common, but if you dig a little deeper, you'll soon realize that they have a lot more connections than you may think.
We've chosen the South American powerhouse and African stalwart as our very first pair of countries in our brand new segment on CNN International's "Connect the World," that we're calling "Global Connections."
One of the most beautiful countries on the planet, Brazil is the land of carnival, rainforests, beaches and football, while Nigeria is Africa’s most populated country, famous for oil and Nollywood films.
So what on earth could the connections possibly be?
Well, that's why we are going to be relying on you.
In this new weekly segment, we'll be choosing a new pair of countries every seven days and that's why we will need you to get in touch and post comments and video.
The connections can be anything from culture and geography to music and the economy.
We also want to hear your personal stories too. Perhaps you have a family member that moved from one country to the other years ago and you want to get in touch? Maybe you visited one country years ago on holiday and something special happened? Whatever connection you think there is, we want to know.
We've even teamed up with local Nigerian radio station the Beat 99.9 FM and Nigeria’s No.1 entertainment, lifestyle & fashion website Bella Naija.
This is your chance to have your voice heard on CNN.
All you have to do is leave your comments below on what connections you think exist and then one of our team members will be in touch.
You can also post your video responses directly to our very own CNN iReport page which you can visit by clicking here.
Now it's time for you to get involved - get connecting!
On Twitter
Dear CNN friends,
We Need to be ONE under GOD! Just as Abraham,
the father of many nations(Bible, Genesis 17 verse 5),
such as Muslims(Ishmael) and Other Regions Believes(Jacob also
the grandfather of Jesus), is ONE under GOD!
So Brazil and Nigeria Need to be ONE under GOD!
In Suriname a Mosque is build near a Jewish Synagogue for Years!
Advice:
Let us Now CONNECT to make our world
a Better Healthier and Beautiful World
for You and for Me!
Greetings,
Jurgen R. Brul
Hometown: Paramaribo
Country: Suriname
Yoruba spirituality, known as Candomblé in Brazil... This one is easy to connect!
Both Countries are deeply religious !
Both countries are very passionate about football !
Also , there seems to be a mutual love for TV drama's and movies, as seen in the Brazilian telenovellas and the Nollywood movies!
God + Football + Entertainment = Brazil/Nigeria
I HAD VISITED BRAZIL LATELY AND HAVE A CHANCE IN A LIFETIME TO SEE THE BOUNDLESS BEAUTY OF BRAZIL NATURE WISE AND PEOPLE ARE SOO WARM AND FRIENDLY.I AM VERY MUCH IMPRESSED WITH ITS GRANDEUR.I HAD VISITED MANY COUNTRIES BUT BRAZIL IS INDEED ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACE.THEIR LOVE FOR FOOTBALL AND GOOD CUISINE, CARNIVAL
AND BEAUTIFUL RAIN FOREST SCENERY THAT INCLUDES IGUASSU WATERFALLS .IS JUST BUT FEW OF THE MANY GOOD THINGS IN BRAZIL.THE COMMON THINGS BETWEEN BRAZIL AND NIGERIA MAYBE IN TERMS OF MINERAL RESOURCES LIKE BRAZIL ARE PRETTY DOMINANT WITH BEAUTIFUL PRECIOUS STONES AND THE NIGERIAN POSSESSES VAST OIL DEPOSITS PEOPLE WISE THE BRAZILIANS ARE FASHIONABLE BEAUTIFUL AND NIGERIANS ARE ALSO BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE.RELIGION WISE BRAZILIANS ARE NOTED FOR ITS DEVOTIONS TO CATHOLISCISM WHILE NIGERIANS ARE DEVOTED TO THEIR OWN RELIGIONS TOO.
BOTH COUNTRIES POSSESSES BEAUTIFUL VAST FOREST.
CNN your writers need to be checked they are giving out false information
When was or did nigeria becaome famous for Gorilla's when
African slaves were basicaly the manpower used by the portuguese colons to built Brazil. This means there is A LOT of african decendants in Brazil, including nigerian.
I am a Nigerian and have visited Brazil consistently in the past ten years. Apart from language difficulties, I can gladly say I feel very much at home in Brazil. From the mannerisms of the people, their sensuality and the food, both countries have a great deal in common. Anywhere you visit in Brazil, you see the faces of Nigeria, the ibo, yoruba, Ibibio, hausa and others brought here as a result of the slave trade. I truly love both countries
Dear CNN friends,
I'm a brazilian citizen and I'd like to share, according to my experiences and Brazil's cultural immersion, the views and connections between both coutries.
According to the Brazilian history, in the century XVII, about 605.500 people were dragged in slaves ships from their home in Nigeria (Benin Gulf), and were transformed into slaves in Brazil.
This is a very large number of people who has been sharing their culture, religion, believes etc since then. They built this country, working on the sugar cane plantations, and through their hands, Brazil acquired the financial power to became, in the future an independent country.
Nowadays, certainly many of us, brazilians, have Nigerian blood running in our veins, influencing our musics, such as samba which is played in carnival, religion ( candomble), capoeira (martial art), foods especially in Bahia (vatapá, caruru, efó, acarajé e bobó etc).
Hope I could give you some ideas.
Best regards
Edgar Franco Candido
São Paulo / Brazil
My paternal grandfather, Pa Eugene Adebowale Goncalves is Nigerian-Brazilian. He is deceased. My father is from Ibdan, Nigeria. I was born in America. My mother is "African-American." Her maternal grandfather is from St. Elizabeth Jamaica, William Henry Blake-Thompson, and her great-great grandmother was a mulatto woman by the name of Isabella Duke Robinson. My great-great-great grandmother Isabella Duke Robinson's father was Colonel Clevis Duke, a first cousin of President Thomas Jefferson.
I want to trace my Brazilian heritage someday. Any suggestions on databases, websites or resources to use?
I thought I was the only person that had this kind of connection! My father is from Imo State, Nigeria, my mother is African-Brazilian (from Salvador), and I was born in the U.S. (with a crazy Baiana accent) I traced my father's lineage from a Transatlantic slave database (I found out his forefathers were taken aboard a slave ship headed for the port of Salvador, but was intercepted by the British). Oddly enough though, I have not found a lot of information from my mom's side (they really don't like to talk about it much, but I won't give up!
dende oil in NE Brazilian food - another easy connection. Plus the Orixas!
I have somehow known about the Brazil/Nigeria connection for a long time. In 1977 Nigeria hosted the 2nd World Black & African Festival of Arts & Culture (FESTAC). The Brazilians came and they displayed some of their goddesses including Obatala and Oya. These are gods worshiped in Nigeria. Many of the things they do in Brazil have roots in Nigeria. There is no doubt that Brazil and Nigeria have a lot in common especially as it relates to culture. This was confirmed by a man I ran into in 1979. His name is Paulpino. He was visiting Nigeria from Brazil when we met. We later lost contact but he actually confirmed the connection between Nigeria and Brazil during our discussion. I believe if well researched, the two countries will found to have more in common than meet the eye
There are a lot of black people in both countries.
Nigeria is the country with the largest black population in the world, Brazil is the country with the largest black population outside Africa.
Different colour, different language, different cuntry, believe,culture,religion.......ONE PEOPLE and ONE LOVE.....
Brazil has the 2nd largest population of people of African descent in the world (including Africa) ... second only to the most populous country in Africa of course, Nigeria.
The biggest connection would probably be the millions of Afro-Brazilians whose ancestors came from Nigeria and influenced Brazilian music, cuisine and religion!
I think there's a kind of connection in areas like oil bearing,religion (the two countries boost of large catholic followership),large population and cultural diversity.this,of course,is in addition to the fact that both countries share black heritage.
Nigeria has a very thick Rainforest and so does brazil in the amazon.
Another connection i can think of is in the form of traditional colourful attires worn by people of both countries especially during carnivals and festivals e.g THE RIO CARNIVAL in Brazil and very numerous masquarades and festivals found througout NIGERIA.
The little connection existing between Nigeria and Brazil that I'm aware of is the forceful relocation of coastal Nigerians to Brazil as slaves during the slave trade era. The decendants of these slaves still hold steadfastly to some of their ancestral ways of worship and for those who have fortunate enough to trace their way back home brought along the ever so popular Brazillian street carnival culture.
CNN..congrnt 4 ths progrm it wil real achiev its objctve as long as the prog.directors remain relevant to ths good course..!..i wait wth expectn wen my country Kenya wil be connectd wth diffrent countries in da world at prompt time..!!
80% Brazilian ancestors were Nigerian slaves. Brazilians and Puerto Ricans still worship traditional Yoruba (one of the Nigerian tribes) gods like Yemoja, Shango etc...in a religion called "Santeria"
I was surprised to learn this in High School, being a Nigerian descent where the practice ot worshipping traditional gods is now frowned upon by the majority which is now either Christian or Muslim.
This is a great topic idea, keep up the conversation starter CNN 🙂
My dad is from Ibadan and his father is Nigerian-Brazilian from São Paulo, Pa Eugene Adebowale Goncalves.
Some of the similarities are:
( a ) both are federally administered, but with a strong presidency;
( b ) both were already governed by military rulers;
( c ) Brasilia and Abuja were built from scratch especially for the purpose of being their respective country`s capital city;
( d ) Yoruba, one of the largest ethnical groups in Nigeria, is the origin of the second largest group of slaves brought to Brazil in colonial times;
( e ) due to ( d ), a large part of the Brazilian culture and customs, from religiosity to music and food ( mainly in its Northeast Region ) has strong Nigerian influences.
Regards from São Paulo, Brazil....
Football is a very good way of connecting Nigeria and Brazil.
Remember Olympics 1996?
I am a Brazilian and I find quite difficult to establish any connection between Brazil and Nigeria at all, personally I could not make any. If you ask a regular Brazilian what he/she knows about Nigeria, the best answer you might get is that Nigeria is an African country, that's all!
Of course we have an afro cultural heritage; however it is not specifically related to Nigeria as it relates to other African countries as well. Accordingly to the Government official census, white represents 53.7%, mulatto (mixed white and black) 38.5%, black 6.2%, other (includes Japanese, Arab, Amerindian) 0.9%, unspecified 0.7%.
Whenever I travel to the U.S. I feel like home. So, for all practical purposes, there are much more connections between the U.S. and Brazil, than Brazil to Africa.
I am looking forward to hearing other CNN friends about possible connections between Brazil and Nigeria.
Nigerians and Brazilians perpetrate a lot of cyber crimes. In Nigeria, these guys are called yahoo yahoo boys. I have seen on news that Brazil has lots of email scams too.
The large population in Brazil makes it very easy for criminals who flee from America to hide there..it is same in Nigeria. A person could assume 100 different personalities and stay in hiding in Nigeria very conveniently without getting caught.
Danbasy Effiwatt,
Calabar, Nigeria
The First connection i think could be between Nigeria and Brazil is basically the Culture.. First off; Nigerians(West Side of Nigeria) Worships Orisha like OGUN, OSUN or OSHUN, ESHU or ESU, OYA, SHANGO or SANGO and more and Brazilian have the same Orisa too but the pronunciation and the spelling of the orisas(Oshun or Ochun, Ogoun, Exu etc.) changes due to some historical reasons i cant explain here and they worship (Dress, Beat the Drums and sings same songs) the Orishas just the same way like Nigerians.
Both countries have a serious problem with corruption
All I can say is u could have found a better picture depicting Nigeria in this day n age.brazil gets d beautiful statue n nigeria gets that.dat picture doesn't help especially for people who have never been to Nigeria before.you and I know there are many beautiful sights in Nigeria u could use in potraying the country to the world.I know we still have some ways to go but still we've come a long way.thks.still hope to find a connection btw d two countries though.
the is the calabar carnival in nigeria and the carnival in rio.
I'm Nigerian studing in Brazil. As we all know Brazil is a mixed country with African, Italian, Portuguese, Indian culture. Firstly i'd like to confess that Brazilians are very philantrophic. Nigeria and Brazil have a lot in common, i won't be saying so if i hadn't seen them myself. I was astonished by what i saw specifically in Bahia. things i tought exist only in Africa (Nigeria). Some of the words they use were derived from nigerian dialects (Ibo e Yoruba).Secondly, There is this typical nigerian food called "AKARA" i was suprised to find it in Brazil with no modification, you can't even imagine the name here in Brazil its "AKARAJE" The "JE" added is a verb in yoruba which means eat. i.e eat akara. isn't that intressting? I'll stop here for now.
BYE.
Nigeria is a better country but Brasil hahahaha
1.They are both bounded by the atlantic ocean.
2.They are both federal republic
3.They both consist of states.
4.They both gained independence from colonial rulers.
5.They are both countries that love soccer.
6.They are both ruled by a constitution.
....I know this because i live in akwaibom,nigeria and i did a research on brazil.Hope my similarities get picked.
Both countries share roots- people bear Lagos in Brazil, that's the name of the commercial capital of Nigeria. Some families from Lagos are termed Brazillean returnee signifying that their fore father were slaves brought back from Brazil. Brazilleans also worship the goddess Yemoja and many more Yoruba gods. Yoruba are predominantly from South West Nigeria.
Apart from origin & lineage, as a result of slave trade, that cause the transportation of yorubas to brasil, love for football is another unifying factor to the two countries.
the connection btw brazil and nigeria is (we 're the same) in food, entertainmt, worship. History shows many brazillians trace their root back to nigeria.
I know Brazilians worship some of the deities worshiped in the southern part of Nigeria among the Yorubas. Deities such as Yemoja pronounced Yemoja in Brazil (the mermaid or goddess of the sea), and Sango amongst others called orisa(someone left a comment above calling it orixa) in Yoruba Land. The Ifa an Institution that spans Centuries among the Yorubas is also practiced in brazil and it involves the cure of various forms of ailments using herbs and secret knowledge learned by the Ifa priest though most of the knowledge has to be memorized by the priest who must have studied under a more experienced priest. the Ifa priest also consults the many deities on behalf of the people.
Apart from that the art of Music having fun dancing and making merry is very similar to the way Nigerians in general make merry using drums and various musical instruments.
In the Early 19th century many Slaves opted to return from Brazil to Nigeria and they settled in an Area in Lagos known as campus square an area that still boasts of a lot of Brazilian architecture brought there by the returnee slaves(though I prefer to use the word our returnee brothers and sisters).
The Returnees started a festival which is celebrated in Lagos every Christmas and Easter period called the Fanti carnival. This has been described by some as the Lagos version of the Rio Carnival while others choose to identify it as the Mardi Gras of Lagos.
Over time the Festival has spread to many areas in Lagos and is a much anticipated Festival in Lagos Nigeria.
The festival hosts a colorful parade of people from different districts in Lagos Island with each district having a Captain and a queen. Most people on the parade have home made costumes while others go along with the parade dancing to live bands playing from moving trailers and DJs blasting music from others.
I'm 30 and I've lived most of my life in Nigeria. When did Nigeria become popular for gorillas? Agriculture, goats, cattle maybe but not gorillas. Last time I checked they were still considered rare tourist attractions.
Please enough of this disgraceful spewing of lies as facts just to satisfy your rasist stereotypes!
Well to me there are some qualities that are common between this countries like the game football the bountiful natural resources and the culture as a Nigerian i believe whenever another travel to Brazil he will always feel at home.And when the world hears anything about Nigeria and Brazil the world knows that its in for nothing but the best.
The connection I believe is that these two countries are aa part of The dispora of the slave trade that existed during the 18th century.
Growing up in nigeria early 90's I remember watching a documentary on Nigerian Televion authority; and talks about all the similarities between nigeria and brazil. Some already
mentioned festac and I think the documentary was filmed as part of the ceremonies.
I really do not like the comment of some persons like Danbasy Effiwatt.If they don't have anything to say they should keep quiet and learn from what others have to say.I am a Nigerian and l know more about my great Country.
Connection btw brazil and 9jeria is very vast 4rm my own view i heard a story sometimes ago that d great brazilian footbal legend pele is of nigerian roots pele in yoruba means sorry it was said 2 av originatd 4rm d futbol icon greatest grandfather who wen seatd infront of his and passerby greetd him he wil say pele he was later reffered 2 baba pele ie d man that use 2 say pele d name was transfered 2 his generation so brazil and 9ja na 1 who might know maybe ronaldo,rivaldo,ronaldinho,robinho,might be my relation
I live in Rio de Janeiro and have several Nigerian friends. The connections between Brazil and Nigeria are many. First, the there is the cultural heritage, since many Brazilians are decended from the same people as modern Nigerians. Also religion, since the Nigerian Yoruba religion is the basis for the Brazilian religion of candomblé. Both countries have an important petroleum industry, and many of the Nigerians I meet in Rio are part of that industry. Both Nigeria and Brazil have mega-cities (Lagos, São Paulo and Rio de Janerio) with expansive shanty towns. Both countries have struggled with military dictators in past decades. Both love soccer (go Super Eagles!). Some elements of their cuisines are also similar, especially if you compare to the Brazilian state of Bahia (dendê, moqueca, pimenta, etc.). Both have rich percussion rhythms in their popular music. What's more, if you look at the outline of the two coasts, you see how in remote geologic time Nigeria and Brazil were one! Both are tropical countries with great rivers, Atlantic coastlines and a semi-arid north. Both face the challenge of income inequality and poverty. I could go on!
Lots of corruption on both lands...
😦
Greetings from Brazil
I've never been to brazil before, but from what I see, I'll say the movie industry cos their telenovellas are much like our nollywood. They're also a deeply religious people like us. Every Nigerian strongly believes in God, just like in brazil. I think they also have beautiful women just like in nigeria
i bet you brazil has no ties with nigeria,pls dont listen 2all those nigerians commenting about the connection they feel they knw.nigeria is a country full of CORRUPTION,GREED n HATRED.nigerians are lookin for a way 2vindicate them selfs.
damn... i find this very disrespectful the way the media portrays African to the rest of the world with the same old images again and again. Do you mean to tell me this is the only picture they could find that best describe Nigeria? yes we know majority of our ppl are living below 2$s a day but using such pix only shows how Africa is badly represented by the media.. they only want the world to see our Negative sides.the fact is Brazil also has a lot or if not more ghettos than Nigeria but why would they show that side of Brazil when they have invested Billions in tourism over there!!!!
From a Brazilian point of view, I see both of Us share the faith and hopes of a better, peaceful and fraternal world.
We also share the shine in the eyes and the smiles in our faces even when everything appears to go wrong.
We never give up. The beat of the drums and the rhythm of our melodies make us celebrate, bring joy to our lives.
We carry on, believing We will get 'there'.
All this, is part of Brazil's African heritage and I'm sure Nigeria has a great share of it.
We, Brazilians, are proud to say that every (!) one of us has – at least – one foot in Africa, regardless of the colour of our skin.
After all, I'm sure both Brazil and Nigeria share and praise The Same Majesty: King Pelé.A fraternal hug from Brazil to Nigeria, as proof of eternal friendship.
-
other facts
Soccer:
Nigeria might lead the African continent to its first World Cup title, maybe in Brazil-2014?
Whilst Brazil has been seeking its first Olympic Gold Medal, which Nigeria has also conquered back in 1996.
They made us cry back then, but we applauded The Flight of the Eagles!
Oil:
Brazil has also found its black-gold off the coast and will soon be labelled as an oil-powerhouse as well.
Global Players:
Brazil found its way to being the South American Powerhouse.
Nigeria's time will come to stay; for everyone.
I'm brazillian, and Brazil is the land of political corruption, violence, poverty, high taxes, etc. People tend to think that Brazil is like a party ("carnival, rainforests, beaches and footbal"), but it is definitely not like that. This is not a good country to live. I don't know much about Nigeria but, as a fellow poor country, I'm pretty sure that the situation is not much different.
Im a nigerian and I really do not know much about brazil. What i know is that we are both passionate about football only that the brazil is much more result oriented than mine so to speak. Our culture seems to relate at a point; with the yoruba speaking ethnic group and some of the black brazillians which were taken from nigeria as history said. The writer should correct his choice of words "known for oil,gorillas and nollywood films" the first and the third i agree the gorilla part ,i know they exist cos we have a rainforest but he gives the impression as if we have them all over the place. I havent in even seen one except on television. We are deeply religious people that has helped keeping most of us sane and giving us hope that there is gonna be a better day.
Hi Becky,
I watched your show about the Nigerian witches. It is a shame this is happening to humanbeings. There is little people can do here to stop this, because in Nigeria if you dare try to speak up you can be kidnapped or even killed. Why are the Nigerian government allowing this to happen? this is inhuman. God will judge them for de-humanizing the people. I think the problem is that of poverty and illiteracy on the people. Why don't the government seal all those fake churches and prosecute all the people involved? This is because the government themselves are corrupt, the judiciary is not independent, everything in Nigeria is politicize.
Responding to the accusation of the NGO's using those kids to make money, that you cannot stop because most people in Nigeria are looking for their own interest, however, those NGO's are better than the government in that they take the initiative to help on their own without any motivation from the government. The young man that spoke to Christian Purefoy the CNN corresponder is also risking his life.
My recommendation is, the only thing the international communities can do is to put pressure on the US to stop buying oil from the Nigerian government until they take action against the abuse of the Nigerian children, with this they will act fast since oil is their main source of income. Or stop all Nigerian Diplomats from traveling to develop countries. They should stay in their country until they fix their problems.
Shame on the Nigerian government, Shame on the Nigerian government. Shame on the Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan who claims to be an academic Doctor with nothing to show. Shame on Akwa Ibom State governor Barrister Godswill Akpabio, a graduate of law in a lawless society.
Regards
Fatima Ahmed
from Malaysia
Dear Friends,
(My comment is awaiting moderation and if it's approved I'd love to have this version displayed, Corrected a few typos and added my name/place – Thank you!)
From a Brazilian point of view, I see both of Us share the faith and hopes of a better, peaceful and fraternal world.
We also share the shine in the eyes and the smiles in our faces even when everything appears to go wrong.
We never give up. The beat of the drums and the rhythm of our melodies make us celebrate, bring joy to our lives.
We carry on, believing We will get 'there'.
All this, is part of Brazil's African heritage and I'm sure Nigeria has a great share of it.
We, Brazilians, are proud to say that every (!) one of us has – at least – one foot in Africa, regardless of the colour of our skin.
After all, I'm sure both Brazil and Nigeria share and praise The Same Majesty: King Pelé.
Thank you, CNN for the initiative.
A fraternal hug from Brazil to Nigeria, as proof of eternal friendship.
Rey Castro
Santos, Brazil
-
other facts
Soccer:
Nigeria might lead the African continent to its first World Cup title, maybe in Brazil-2014?
Whilst Brazil has been seeking its first Olympic Gold Medal, which Nigeria has also conquered back in 1996.
They made us cry back then, but we applauded The Flight of the Eagles!
Oil:
Brazil has also found its black-gold off the coast and will soon be labelled as an oil-powerhouse as well.
Global Players:
Brazil found its way to being the South American Powerhouse.
Nigeria's time will come to stay; for everyone.
there is nothing in common
brazil was part of nigeria before earthquakes tore both countries apart and the resultant gorge separating them is today filled by the atlantic ocean! the amazon and the niger are the same and one river! religion is the opium of both peoples whose large populations are predominantly poor and are ruled by a corrupt and extravagant elite! both countries are exceptionally endowed with vast, mouth-watering human and material resources which, if properly harnessed, could banish poverty currently ravaging the vast majority of their people! until they both exploit their potentials in a meaningful way, other african leaders ruling less-populated countries will not feel constrained to serve their people consciientiously.
Dear John King,
Just as you have categorized both sides, the two nations were wise enough to sustain interactive relationship with their white masters; and, they both took vicious advantage of knowledge and know – how; and equally gained immensely in development. This is not the case with the "Toussant de Louvre" rebelion of 1890's, which perpetually delineated Haiti, today, from development among committee of black nations. One man's meat became another man's poison. it was an irreconciliable error.
Given, there wasn't anyone around to tweet about it, but before the continents separated, Brazil and Nigeria shared common land– land that is now Nigeria's Atlantic coast and the easternmost coast of South America.
Both countries have in common the desperate need of Jesus Christ as their Savior.
Both countries have similar aspects: such as, enormous population, intense oil productivity in their economies, emerging markets, cultural offspring and passion for sports like soccer and athletics.
Best regards,
Nigerians and Brazilians are happy people. Citizens of both countries have an inherrent ability to merry in the midst of little
Nigeria and Brazil? I think, there are lots of similarities than differences. Firstly, the way a typical Nigerian or Brazilian view life(their perspective about life)are very much identical. Secondly, both countries government's policies shares considerable similarities. Thirdly, both countries have passion for football(football is like a religion in both countries).
please i want both country to work on education, is really very important for Nigeria. because in terms of education, Nigeria will go a long way with Brazil. am Ogaga Iyase from delta state,Nigeria
Just visited twice Nigeria this year and three times Brazil this year and I was surprised to see this link and this blog page because actually there are some definite common things between Nigeria and Brazil. I think at the root of it, there is the largness of the country within their continent which give them a stature and a visibility that build the confidence of the inhabitants, the state of mind and the general way of life of these two countries. This i think fuels the creativity in all aspects of life in these countries, no wonder both countries export their tv and short movies everywhere, nollywood and brazilian soaps have dominated my childhood and I still recall vivid memories of Maria and Nigerian plots. There is a also a certain level of democratization, and decentralization which means that things actually happen in these two countries.
A geological connection: both countries have oil under the sea, at deep waters. Is possible also that Nigerria could have a "pre-salt" layer of oil yet to be discovered, due to geological similarities during the continents separation and formation of South Atlantic Ocean.
I know what they have in common. But someone already said it so I will copy an paste his comment:
"Brazil has the 2nd largest population of people of African descent in the world (including Africa) ... second only to the most populous country in Africa of course, Nigeria."
Both countries have one thing in common, and that is corruption. Find a solution to that and we can find a blissful nation for its people to enjoy for the rest of their lives.
CNN you guys are something else, why would you have lose mouth as saying that Nigeria is famous for gorilla.. when Nigeria is well known for some serious thing like YAHOZEE he he he very funny writer, anybody that posted this trash about gorilla in Nigeria is just ANTI Nigeria.. the last i went to Brazil i saw traces of culture of south east (IBO) like (chukwu okuke, anike nwa awuwa of Nike kingdom) Nigeria which made me to believe that the countries have many things in common.. FOR THE CNN GUYS THAT MADE THIS EVIL COMMENT ABOUT NIGERIA I WILL TAKE UP.just wait and see you loser!!!!!!!!
I've lived in Nigeria for over 90% of my close to three decades alive, and I've found out that, apart from the similar Tropical climate, there exists some intricate relationships, based on Cultural similarities, between Brazil and Nigeria.
There should be no doubt in anyone's mind about the mutual love for football (American soccer); both counties are fervidly passionate about the sport. Another connection, is the mutual love for fast-paced sensual Dance, especially by semi-clad women; these are exhibited in the Samba dancesteps of Brazil, as well as the brief sensual interludes that characterize Nigerian musicography.
A final link would be the existence of mutual Yoruba (Southwestern parts of Nigeria) ethnographies between both countries; this has been well documented in history.
Both countries are blessed with natural resources and the people are packed full of good accommodating spirit. They are full of LIFE!!
Brazil n Nigerian shares an heritage dating back to d time of slavery.Mass exodus of Nigerian to Brazillian sugarcaine plantatn 2 work as slaves led to d African heritage of d Brazillian society now.Aside culture n religion,both countries enjoy football a lot n are both superpowers on their continents,emerging economies n driven by capitalist.
@Jose furlan,i think you are nothing but a racist cuz u can't tell me that there is no connection b/w nigeria and brazil.If no connection at all;there is culture and football connection
There are a lot of yoruba people in Lagos, Nigeria that have brazilian family names like Cardoso. This is because many of brazilians who traced their origin back to Nigeria moved back to Nigeria and still maintained their brazilian names.
Here in lagos, we've got a section called brazilian quaters left over from the slave trade and i've got friends with the names fernandez and fereira, even though they are from the yoruba tribe. They claim to trace their ancestry to brazilian slaves. Dont know if i believe them, though?
Nigeria today is facing multiple cases in terms of criminal activities is not only the internet scamers our fingers should be pointed at, what about those on the top that are sopurse to imply a decipline in the system of Nigerian democracy, it all sterted from the top the only language an avrage Nigerian understood is money, i think is only God that can change this situation for us.
The major connection of Nigeria/Brazil is the Slave trade and the Large Numbers of Blacks in both countries. For example, A Brazilian football Player is call EDU. Edu is a Calabar/Ogoja name in the Southern part of Nigeria. May be the large proportion of Blacks in Brazil are Nigerians and that was the reason why football Matches involving Nigeria and Brazil is always filled with entertainments and tension soaked as two brothers playing each other.
Eita Samson
Abuja – Nigeria.
Take away God from nigeria;take away football from nigeria;take away culture from nigeria,take away partying from nigeria,& we're finished.this i think very much apply to brazil.i luv both countries.
The only connection is that but countires have human beings habiting in them, but make no mistake nigeria is not known to be famous in GORRILLAS, pls!!!
Definitely most blacks in Brazil have their roots from Nigeria or how else can one explain the similarities in names, culture and religion....some nigerians still have brazilian names and both countries practically have same diets and cuisine. Also, some names of streets and locations in the south west of nigeria are known names of places in Brazil
So true!
These countries have somethings in common not only in the trade sector but also as countries that are aspiring to meet the y2k era
Hi CNN, am a nigerian. is it true that nigeria is famous for gorillas? i never know. you should validate your date before using it.
Thank you
What Nigeria and Brazil have in common is exactly what every human being on earth has in common. They are all parts of ONE HUMAN SOUL. They all have a THINKING MIND, which, if used constructively, can create paradise on earth. – Nser Edet
Two countries, so...so...so similar in history, culture, warm disposition to issues... just name it. Both have suffered european invasions that they called colonialsm, both are rich in natural endowments,though at one time or the other been labelled poor by `developed' economies, both are vastly populated. Nigeria and Brazil are just similar
Love to life and God, crazy about football, high (and still growing) population, high oil/gas reserves/production, availability of untapped markets, etc.
It is actually self-deceptive for someone to be deeply ignorant about the connection between Nigeria and Brazil.Connecting Brazil and US and denying the connections between Brazil and Nigeria is the highest level foolishness I have witnessed in recent times. It is as worse as denying the Holocaust. I am a Yoruba from South West Nigeria. I have had opportunity to interact with Brazilians and mostly those of African and Portuguese descents. It is amazing to see most traditional beliefs in Brazil are the same as the ones in my homeland. The worship of Orisa, Yemoja, Ogun,Obatala, ifa(maybe these were from the US too?) etc were all imports to Brazil by the Yoruba people who were forcefully taken to Brazil by the same criminals who here are denying the connections between both countries. Another connection, I see in both countries is that Brazilians are bold and noisy, same goes for Nigerians. You cannot intimidate them into silence and submission. Finally, both have similar weather and large forest reserves!
How could CNN say that Nigeria is only famous for oil and Nollywood films? Is that all? And when you talked about Brazil, you mentioned, rain forest, beaches, carnival and football, which Nigeria also has. You see, this is the problem Africans have with both BBC and CNN. The writer of this introduction should have done some research before going to town. Except if his objective is to paint Nigeria in bad light, which has become the favourite pastime of CNN and co. No problems. We leave them with their conscience.
Hello CNN!
The tropical climate that we can find when visiting Nigeria or Brazil are contagious, beautiful beaches such as Coconut Beach or Eleko Beach, with unforgettable hotels and sights in Lagos’s city, in the southwest country.
Not only that but also the reception found either country makes us feel like home, being you Brazilian or Nigerian.
Going to the North of each country it’s possible to see much more common things that we can imagine.
To Nigeria north, the dry climate, almost without rain during all the year take us to the Brazilian northeast, where many people still live with no care and hopeless. Almost nothing blooms in the land.
If we compare Brazil and Nigeria by their economy, we can find similar patterns, for example: oil industry (petroleum), agriculture with sugar cane, cocoa, cassava besides others.
Sports also join the two countries soccer prevails in Nigeria and Brazil.
Felipe Romera
Hometown: Piracicaba
Country: Brazil
Africans have spoiled Christianity with their tribal spiritism called Pentecostalism. You will find this disease spreading in both countries and wrecking societies and minds in both nations.
They are both hub's for criminals and the drug trade.Both governments have an extraordinarily low opinion of their own people, allowing shanty towns to sprawl but wasting money on international PR projects. Both countries pay lip-service to the world as they destroy their rain-forested areas. Or do you guy's only want the happy stuff?
Like a writer stated earlier, the returnee Nigerian slaves settled in Lagos(the commercial capital of Nigeria) and introduced a lot of Brazillian flavor to our already spicy lifestyle,such as the carnival,beautiful architecture etc. Also in Lagos, you find Nigerians bearing Brazilian names like Da-silva, Da-costa etc.
Our (Nigeria/Brazil) believe in the Most High is unwavering despite maintaining contact with our cultural heritage. I do hope i get the opportuinity to travel to Brazil soon and really see things for myself.
JESUS OUR SAVIOUR (JOS) popular land mark in brazil has a city in Nigeria called JOS (capital of plateau state) in central Nigeria also popular should i say notorious for wrong reasons. kene.
they are all thieves and crooks
Lagos (Nigeria Capital) and Alagoas, one of the Brazilian Federative States, I have heard once that the name of the Brazilian State was given by slaves that came from Nigeria, forced to Brazil. I do not know whether this would be true or not, but, looking forward to hear
Brazil and Nigeria are apt 1st subjects for this series.
– Both nations are deeply religious, Brazil with Catholicism and Nigeria with her religions.
– slaves who came from Nigeria made up a huge population of Brazilian plantation workers.
– some of those Nigerian slaves continued their worship of Yoruba religious deities which subsist till today.
– both nations are football crazy.
that's about it!
My great great grandfather Joaquim Marinho was born in Bahia in 1835 and arrived with his wife, Teresa, in Ouidah (Benin Repupblic) as a freed slave. One of his three sons, Antonio Joaquim Marinho (b. 1863) moved to Lagos, Nigeria in 1886 and settled. There are many families in Lagos that share similar histories – Martins, Dos Reis, Da Costa, Da Silva, etc.
I'd love to go to Bahia one day and discover the rest of my roots.
To start with, brazil is no longer the land of football was reported. Because in the last cup championship world Brazil hadn't a good performance and lately has demonstrated very weak.
Brazil isn't composed just only rainforests.
Some,think in Brazil there are a wide range of monkeys jumping tree to tree.
Brazil is much more of that 3 things straightforward cited.
I suggest you visite Brazil and perhaps you will have another view.
P.S I'm brazilian,borned in São Paulo city
Nigeria and Brazil both built capital cities from scratch. Brazil built Brazilia and Nigeria Abuja to bring their countries together geographically. Both chose sites that are in the center of their country and both are blessed with beautiful architecture.
There are ancestral links between Brazil and Nigeria. There are Nigerian families with Brazilian names. You have the Da Costa and the Del Rosas for example. Del Rosa was very rich and his name was synonymous with wealth in the 50's and 60's. In the city of Lagos, some ancient houses with Brazilian architecture are still standing in the city centre. In the two countries, soccer is a unifying factor though the level of development differs. Culturally, there are Yorubas in Brazil who still speak a variant of the language. The goddess, Yemoja is worshipped in both countries. The population of both countries are about the same. While Brazil is the most populous country in South America, Nigeria enjoys the same status in Africa. Brazil could be classified as developing but Nigeria is still under developed in every sense of the word, oil or no oil.
O Brasil uma terra de pessoas trabalhadoras, homens e mulheres, jovens e adultos corajosos afim de a cada dia fazer do Brasil uma grande potência além do que ja é. Um País lindo pela sua natureza, pessoas sempre sorrindo, mesmo nos momentos dificieis pois crer que ha experança. Um País que tem recebido a todos de braços abertos. Um País que sempre esta passando por transformações tanto política, religiosa e cultural. Um País a qual cremos que Deus fará uma grande transformação e será benção para várias nações.
CNN,YOU ALWAYS PORTRAY AFRICANS WEARINGS LEAVES AS CLOTHING.IT IS LONG AGO NOT NOW,YOU CAN COME AND SEE FOR YOURSELF.YOU DO IT TO MAKE MOCKERY OF US.MOST TIMES YOU USE DULL VIDEO CAMERA TO MAKE IT SEEMS AS IF AFRICA IS BORING.THOUGH WE HAVE LEADERSHIP PROBLEM BUT SOME OF THE THINGS YOU SHOW ON YOUR FOOTAGE ARE EXAGGERATED
O Brasil uma terra de pessoas trabalhadoras, homens e mulheres, jovens e adultos corajosos afim de a cada dia fazer do Brasil uma grande potência além do que ja é. Um País lindo pela sua natureza, pessoas sempre sorrindo, mesmo nos momentos dificieis pois crer que ha esperança. Um País que tem recebido a todos de braços abertos. Um País que sempre esta passando por transformações tanto política, religiosa e cultural. Um País a qual cremos que Deus fará uma grande transformação e será benção para várias nações.
Jackson
City – Cacoal
States – Rondonia
Brazil
Both countries are home to Black people. People who migrated from Nigeria during slave trade are likely living in Brazil.
Both are big countries with big population.
Brazil is a land of hard working people, men and women, young adults and brave every day in order to make Brazil a great power beyond what already is. A beautiful country by nature, people, always smiling, even in difficult times because they believe there experance. A country that has welcomed everyone with open arms. A country that is always going through changes both in political, religious and cultural. A country which we believe God will make a major transformation and will be blessing to many nations
Jackson
City – Cacoal
States – Rondonia
Brazil
Brazil is the giant in South America while Nigeria is the largest country in Africa. Some former slaves migrated back from Brazil and settled in Lagos. Some relics of their houses still adorn the centre of Lagos. Football enjoys a cult followership in both countries but Brazil has more laurels to show for their efforts.
Brazil is industrialised but Nigeria is underdeveloped. Both countries enjoy carnivals in various degrees. The Rio Carnival is well known but in Nigeria, you have the Grand Durbar, Eyo festival in Lagos, boat Regatta in other areas of the Niger delta.
The Yoruba goddess Yemoja is worshipped in Brazil as well as south western part of Nigeria. Some relics of Yoruba language still exist in Brazil.
Both countries share the wound of slavery, since the Portuguese used to capture people in Nigeria to work in Brazil as slaves– the Portugueses thought they could use the native indigenous people, but they couldn't, it turn out to be.
So, the large number of Nigerians-made-slaves in Brazil, throughout time (in the last four-hundred or so years) became part of our heavily mixed culture. The colonization by the Europeans (not only Portuguese, as French, Deutsch and Spanish tried to seize a part of Brazil during the great navigations period) made us deeply Catholic, and black as long as indigenous people in face of heavy proselytism mixed both religions/cultures.
Today those religions brought here with the slaves have intense Catholic influences. Just a visit to Salvador, capital of Bahia (and also capital of the colony in the early ages of Brazil) and anyone can see that.
Modernly, on the other hand, economically we both share huge quantities of petroleum, being Brazil thought to be in the next ten or so years, a great petroleum export thanks to the pre-salt, in the bay of Santos.
Brazil and Nigeria.... Hmm.There is a striking vibrancy and audacity about the average citizens of these two country.A visit to Lagos especially the Island will feel like Rio. Also there are several Brazillian Nigerians with spanish sounding names such as Da Silva, Vaughan, Cardoso,Santos e.t.c.The distant connection is the inglorious slavery enterprise that uprooted many Africans and one of the root cause of the black race disorientation.
There are some connection between Brazil and Nigeria beside football and other sport.
Firstly there are families which their surnames have the same pronunciation and meaning with Brazilian name's like Edu, Gomez, and Da silva in Lagos Island Nigeria.
Also the annual "Fanti" Carnival,which has the same similarity with Rio Janero carnival which comes up every year in Lagos island Nigeria is organised by the Brazilian family house in Lagos.
Lastly there are worshipers and believers of gods such as Obàtálá, Ogun, Shango and Yemoja Nigeria and Brazil.
first and foremost slavery has played an important role in comparison of the two countries. there is no way one can take the factor of slavery out of the point and which gave birth to all other factors and similarities. this two countries share almost same culture, talk about way of dressing, and music. another good similarity is the religion. both countries has traditional religion and to clarify things its same god they worship. talk about the god of water [yemoja] , the god of iron[ ogun], the god of thunder [sango], etc. i think the slavery has played the major role which leaves me with the belief that Brazil is the second home of Nigerians.
Hello my fellow Brazilians
I am a Nigerian tha has connected to my Brazilian brothers for the past 2 years. It is true that Brazil and Nigeria share similar qualities like culture and religion. I visited Brazil a while ago and felt at home. Some local food prepared in Brazil are originated from Lagos, Nigeria, the samba music is originated from Nigeria, The names of most Brazilians are originated from the Ibo and Yoruba cultures here in Nigeria, and worst of all – Both countries share similarities in crime and corruption in the highest order and both countries are addicted to sex. The urge and demand for sexual activities is like a demonic possession on both countries. The love for food, money and sex are the qualities that govern both countries. I love Nigeria and I love Brazil too much – The similarities are just too many.
Moderator, can you please delete all messages with religious BS?
This is a serious news site, and not a place where everyone shows their (useless) believes. The comments must be focused exclusively on the article!
Large part of the afro brazillian community descended from Nigeria. The language especially yoruba is still spoken in some parts of the present day Brazil .
Oil.
not similar in economic growth and social issues...Brazil is light-years ahead in HDI.But I can make a connection about the european colonization and the climate.Brazil is mostly tropical as Nigeria.
Geographically it appears that the two countries connected as Africa and South America appears to be two pieces to a puzzle. What separates the two countries now is the Atlantic Ocean
Both are discriminated as suburb countries.And Nigeria and Brazil are very close in economic trades.Lula da Silva expand Brazilian influency in Africa.
The theory of continental drift asserts that Brazil and Nigeria were once literally connected, before plate tectonics pulled them apart. This theory, now the foundation of modern geology, arose from what we can all see on an atlas: that Brazil's "nose" fits neatly into the "armpit" of Africa. Hence, Brazil found oil offshore at the spot "opposite" to Nigeria's oilfields.
CNN's first "reconnection" is of two countries that "drifted apart" — on geological plates! Perhaps CNN could "rewind" continental drift to define other pairs of countries to connect. That would remind us all that we were once literally "one world".
Another nice pair of former "neighbours" to reconnect would be Scotland and the Northeastern US, whose mountains are geologically similar. This would be a fun connection because (i) the US Declaration of Independence draws heavily on the Scottish Declaration of Arbroath, 1320; (ii) 40 percent of the signatories of the US Declaration were Scots; (iii) the Appalachians were populated by "Scots-Irish" immigrants. Geology is destiny?
No ...I can't. "Conect" is an unknown word. Please try again.
Both have a lot of people living in the slum...Its a shame anyway.
zurich,switzerland
A Nigerian influence can be seen in Brazil's cuisine, particularly in the use and preparation of root vegetables such as yam and cassava, mangoes, palm oil, strews, beans, rice etc.
While the idea of this parallel is culturally attractive, the fact it is blatantly published today side by side with the negative, concerning articles on the torture of witch kids in Nigeria, makes one wonder what the agenda of this blog really is...
The beginning of hidden Brazil bashing now? Be careful people! Be careful!
While the idea of this parallel is culturally attractive, the fact it is blatantly published today side by side with the negative, concerning articles on the torture of witch kids in Nigeria, makes one wonder what the agenda of this blog really is...
The beginning of hidden Brazil bashing now? Be careful people! Be careful!
PS: if it is fortuitous, which I choose not to believe, then CNN editors are not doing their jobs very well...
Nigeria and Brazil are big countries, they have the highest populalion of blacks in the world, they have cultural diversities though some similarities but not exclusive,both people like football and they are endowed countries in terms of human and natural resources although one (Brazil) has prospered more than the other, their similarities are just equal and opposite.
The only real connection between those countries I could see is happiness. Despite all problems, both people are always thinking about a better mean of living and see in God, football and arts a reason to keep smiling.
Regards fro São Paulo, Brasil.
BOTH OF THEIR FLAGS USE GREEN...........
Brazil and Nigeria were connected as part of a giant land mass millions of years ago. Imagine Brazil and west Africa coast line being merged like a two matching piece of puzzles. That's why Brazil and Nigeria both share oil riches.
Think Nigeria and Brazil face the same problem of wealth concentrated in the hands of a few and poverty assolating a lot of people. Also here in Brazil as well as in Nigeria, corruption manages politics and some parts of the judiciary systems. Apart from that, we are nice people linked without many traces of racism and... color differences. We are friendly people and Lagos as well as Rio de Janeiro are very similar. Both countries are due to be powerful nations by the year 2050. I love Brazil and have many friends in Nigeria!!! Miguel – Campinas – Sao Paulo – Brazil.
Yes I can connect both countries and very easily. Just make the two continents fit (South America and Africa) like they used to be in the Pangea and you will see both countries connected, that is, sharing a common border.
I was thinking the same thing about Pangea! This also made me wonder if there's a possible connection between Nigeria's oil and Brazil's new found off-shore oil. It seems to me that these oil deposits could have originated from when the two places were connected in Pangea.
If you study Brazil's history and how it was colonized you will find out that Portugal shipped all its worse criminals to Brazil in order to get rid of them in Portugal. You will also know that Brazil had slavery and many people from many African countries, including Nigeria.
Besides like other similarities like the African kind of music, religion the 2 countries share a huge part of so many cyber and other kind of crooks and criminals, the fact is known in most countries of the world.
In terms of population there is some connection for example Brazil being the leader in South America while Nigeria in Africa.Face to Face across the Atlantic ocean they fall on thesame line.Stop talking about cultural connections or religion commons because all over Africa and South America.The culture or religion are thesame.
Samba is played in both countries.
The same occult practices.
AKARA – Traditional meal famous in both countries.
Both had military regime, now democracy..
Historic ties to Portugal.
Deep passion for football, religion and drama.
Synonymous geographically; coastal line, rain forest,creeks and climate.
Not so common explosive booty, is common among both women.
Experience colonial occupation.
E T C................................
In prehistoric times, when all the continents were once a solid land mass called "Pangea", the land mass of Africa touched on the land mass of South America.
I think that developed world has a wrong view of Brazil, my country are plenty of corruption in all governmental levels; we don't have infrastructure to a sustainable growth; the poverty diminished only because populist subsides; we don't have satisfactory education; the healthcare system is chaotic; the middle class are suffocated for high taxes government supports dictators like Ahmadinejad, Al Bashir and Chavez; the poll's leader for the next presidential election is a former terrorist that receive training from cubans in 70's e participated of bombing attacks, kidnappings and assassinations. Is a shame see Lula in the cover of Time magazine.
Both have serious problems with environmental governance, and very interesting methods of trying to improve natural resource menagement and conservation.
BOTH ARE HAPPY AND WARMFUL, FRIENDLY NATIONS.UNFORTUNENTALY NIGERIA IS STILL VERY POOR IS LIKE BRAZIL IN THE 50'S, 60'S...BUT MANY NIGERIANS ARE NOW AIMING TO IMMIGRATE TO BRAZIL.
george amadi, Brazil is leaded by the Works Party, is that elite???And Brazil is not major poor.But middle class.Of course there are still many poor.and corruption is a shame.
Before connect, people should LEARN.
they're flags both have green in them ,
Hi there
Brasil and Nigeria has a number of similarities. We had a number of migrants from Nigeria in the early years.
Whilst as one reader commented that we all have African blood in us we also have the love for fiesta or dancing in all celebrations. We are passionate about our cultures despite the fact that the fact we call ourselves Brasilians.
We both love lots of colours in our celebration outfits and have beautifully designed head gears for women.
The stark difference in my opinion is that Brasil has emerged to some extent of our corruption/pverty "rut" whilst Nigeria sadly remains so entrenched in it.
All the way from Singapore, Asia
What a wonderful idea to show to CNN readers connections between two countries like Bazil and Nigeria! That will approximate people around the world and will make us know other countries, and make countries with similarity realise that we are all a great brotherhood, just like Lennon's thoughts.Congratulations for ideas like this one!!
I love Brazil. I still worry about Biafra though and the brave Ibo people.
Thinking about plate tectonics ... continental drift. At one point, there was no ocean separating Brazil and Nigeria. A bit of time has passed but I'd call that a "Global Connection".
Brazil and Nigeria are closely linked mostly due to drug trafficking. There are over 500,000 Nigerians living in Rio alone. Colombians truck the coke down to Brazil, and Nigerian traffickers fly it to South Africa and from there they ship it all over the world. Prisons in Rio and Sao Paolo are overflowing with Nigerians.
Something nice and simple... The countries once physically touched each other as part of Pangaea.
The connection between Nigeria and Brazil will have to be a widely spoken language in Nigeria called 'Yoruba'. Yoruba, is also spoken in parts of Brazil and in the traditional worship of Candomblé, closely based on the orisha deity worship of the Yoruba of modern Nigeria.
it is a mad world people respect God no more the evil done in Brazil can not count no where in Nigeria. Open your eyes Nigerian and see number written on the wall
Another similarity: In both Nigeria and Brazil, the Portuguese were the first Europeans to settle. (Brazil was however colonized by the Portuguese, while in Nigeria the Portuguese were mainly involved in trade)
I was born in Nigeria. I lived there for 20 years, and now I am temporarily not there. My cousin lives in Brazil, and he tells me so much about it. One thing that I know is common is the large number of Lebanese community in both countries. Secondly, both countries have rich land for agriculture, even though Nigeria is not taking advantage of that. Thirdly, they are both underdeveloped, even though Brazil is now developing in a good pace.
Here are some Connections between Brazil and Nigeria below :
1. Religion .... Brazil has the highest Population of Catholics believers S. America and Nigeria also have the highest Catholics believer in Africa.
2. Culture.... Similarities in cultural activities (many Afro-Brazilians trace their ancestry to Nigeria)
3. Population....Both Countries are highly populated and stand out on their Continents.
4. Colonial...The Portuguese were the first Colonial master to visited both countries during the slaves and era.
5. Sport....Both Countries are great achievers and lovers of the Sport game called Football.
6. Country Location....They both have coastal areas bordered by the Atlantic ocean
7. Mixed Cultures....Both had different ethnics and languages in their nations.
8. Military Rulers... Both had been ruled by the Military leaders for 30 yrs plus.
9. Socialization... Brazil and Nigeria for centuries, both share a strong warmly, friendly, and strong relationship.
10. Natural Resources....They both have natural resources that make them well known even the resources differs.
11. Economy.... They are both poor Nations and they have been refer to as 3rd World Countries.
12. Bilateral relations.... Nigeria and Brazil focus primarily on Trade and Cultures
N.B. Please note that the photo used does not portray or reflect Nigeria unlike the one used for Brazil. You could have use the photo image of our National Art Theatre building.
Mr. Adefugabi Temilolu Adebayo
Lagos, Nigeria.
Both countries like to party
They both take soccer as the number and only sport
People of both countries are fun seekers and happy,no matter the problems they are facing the are still happy
this is like connecting japan with usa, both are democracies, both like baseball , both watch tv, both proudce world famous cartoons blah blah blah! uc an connect any other like this
Excuse me,
I am offended by this primitve image ypou have used here to represent Nigeria. Do you not have any images from the scyscrapers of lagos state and Abuja or port harcourt and kaduna.
Why are you trying to depict Nigeria as some kind of remote,, primitive nation when in fact, we are the greatest wholly black-governed country on earth!
Please change the picture!
I´m Brazilian, and I so proud that CNN is making this connection with Nigeria. I´m don´t know many things about this African country but certainly we have deep cultural connections, because of the fact that in Brazil we have a lot of African descendents. I hope this kind of initiative could changes the stereotyped image these country have all over the world.
Alexandre
São Paulo – Brazil
The son of the legendary Nigerian Afrobeat genius, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti (Seun Anikulapo-Kuti) is playing in Rio the Janeiro, Brazil this weekend!
God + Football + Entertainment = Brazil/Nigeria
Not
Entertainment = Brazil/Nigeria-God – Football + longvan
Only Brazil and Nigeria will know, I can't see anything, I would say South Africa and Brazil have more in common since they are both their continent's powerhouses!
This is just to add that both Brazil and Nigeria were colonized by the Portuguese. Hence the reason why Portuguese is the main language spoken in Brazil and why Lagos (a Town in Portugal) is the most popular city in Nigeria. I am a Yoruba from Nigerian and would love to visit Brazil one day as I've heard that there are Yoruba settlements in Brazilian villages...
Interesting connection....a lot has already been said; (1) Cultural Similarities: Due to perhaps migration during the slave trade. (2) A geological connection, (if the world was all one before, then brazil & Nigeria were once the same) take a look at the map of Nigeria's location on the west coast of Africa & Brazil's location on South Americans coast. (3) Deeply religiously people. (4) Love for the round leather game (5) & last but certainly least; extremely beautiful people!
THEY BOTH LOVE TO PARTY!!!
And they also have beautifully endowed girls ;D
i think that another connection between MY NIGERIA and THEIR BRAZIL is "crime" in Nigeria if u are rich or influential there is one thing you will always be afraid of if you are either visiting or resident in some parts of the country and that
"to be kidnapped for a huge ransome" .
In recent years kidnapping show up it`s ugly face in Nigeria because of the widening gap between the rich and the poor also in Brazil kidnapping is very rampant just like in Nigeria.
Here is a list of people that are likely to be kidnapped or considered have high kidnap value in Nigeria
Father of a wealthy man or woman ( there many ways to kill a rat)
Mother of a wealthy man or woman
children of a wealthy man or woman
The wealth man himself if he does not have adequate security
wife of a wealthy man or woman
government minister is a huge target
house rep members
And most important A man that is white and work with an oil company in the Niger delta
the list is endless...
the list is endless do u want to qualify ?
if yes make money fast then relocate your family to either SE /SS NIGERIA or SAO PAULO ,Rio de Janeiro BRAZIL and
Pls i don`t me to disrespect any of these two wonderful countries
brazil has alot of positve side like their technology, their ever growing economy and very soon they will be hosting the world cup where the will have the opportunity to make it right and correct that impression just like South Africa did .
In Nigeria kidnapping has not taking away the hospitality of the Nigerian people despite the irresponsibility of our leaders
All thoes comments about my country (Nigeria) in connections with Brazil are very true. Though some words sound disturbing to the ear but that is just the truth about the connections between Nigeria and Brazil.
Free Words.
I imagine that a common african cultural heritage, but MOST slaves that came to Brazil were from Portuguese colonies. Nowadays Nigerians are eventually caught by the Federal Police due to some illegal activities.As a Brazilian I do not have much information about any deep connection between the two peoples.
Two big connections: Drugs and corruption.
Lots of cases of nigerians caught as drug mules in brazilian airports and lots of cases of nigerians selling unexisting marvelous business to "clevers" brazilians.
as my consine you can chek my name i m yrb stay in lagos island in nigeria before my grand father die he took my father to brasil to go and see his family so that we can remenber were we are from. befure we use to travel to brasil durin the ILEYA festival during that i was too small istead of travel to one state in nigeria check my name very well in brasil HORLAKAN that my surename in yrb is OLAKANMI wish my grandfather change it to nigeria.so you can see now BRAIL and NIGERIA we are one thank's CNN you make me remenber were i come from
If you look at the map of the world, as if it was a single land mass, Nigeria and Brazil seem to fit together almost perfectly. Maybe that is why their languages are similar. Lagos in Nigeria has alot of brazilian houses and Some brazilians speak yoruba. Which is the regional language of lagos – Nigeria. Shango worship in brazil is very similar to the Shango worship in southwest Nigeria. In fact, culture is similar, dance is similar, and their love for football is second to none.
Well, if you go back a few hundred million years ago, they were very closely connected- like they were touching.
Just looking at the picture in the article I see brightly colored, light weight cotton wraps. In Nigeria its common clothing, in Brazil they are used for beach wraps and also a convenient beach towel.
Hey guys… let’s get out of this “ALICE IN A WONDERLAND”!... It sounds very romantic, all African cultural influence to a small percentage of Brazilian people – especially Bahia State. We are in 2010! World is changing deeply and fast. Wake up, come’ on!!!
“Of course we have an afro cultural heritage; however it is not specifically related to Nigeria as it relates to other African countries as well. Accordingly to the Government official census, WHITE represents 53.7%, MULATTO (mixed white and black) 38.5%, BLACK 6.2%, other (includes Japanese, Arab, Amerindian) 0.9%, unspecified 0.7%.” – Someone said this here.
LET’S TALK ABOUT BUSINESS. There’s a big connection between Brazil and Nigeria: COCAINE.
The drug manipulated by Nigerian Mafia, which is basically established on the Northeast of Brazil, is produced by South American countries like Colombia, Peru and Bolivia and has two destinies: Loading important drug dealers in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro OR shipping it to African and European countries.
Nigerian Mafia is now considered the main criminal organization on sending cocaine overseas, through Brazilian airports. According to Brazilian Federal Police, Nigerians are the main buyers from Colombians and Bolivians cartels. Since 2006, many Nigerians have been arrested in São Paulo, trying to take tons of cocaine to Africa and Europe, especially Holland, where they have organization arms to distribute drugs to other European nations.
Nigerians wouldn’t be doing this “trading business” without a Brazilian “help”. That’s what we can call FRIENDSHIP or MUTUAL CULTURAL COOPERATION!
(You can find many sources online. This one is in Portuguese: http://www.meionorte.com/noticias,ceara-se-firma-como-rota-de-trafico-internacional,66648.html )
Brazil and Nigeria! Both are the most populated countries in their continents, home to more blacks than any other country in the world. They are also very religious nations; while Brazil is majorly a Catholic nation, Nigeria too very religious but with almost 50-50 Christians and Muslim.
Another similarity is that they are both crazy soccer loving nations.
Culturally, connected by the Yoruba spirituality, known as Candomblé in Brazil. The Yoruba culture was/is believed to have been exported to Brazil from Nigeria by people forcefully moved there from African during the obnoxious and inhuman trade by European traders, aided by African chiefs.
Looking at the world map,you will understand that the location of brazil is almost facing directly to the present location of nigeria i.e the westhern part(yoruba),to prove this some part brazil are proudly believe to be originated from the yoruba of the west coast of africa which is nigeria,.
so apart from their social similarities,geographically they are connected-
thanks
wole adeleye
ogbomosho,nigeria
BOTH COUNTRIES ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT SOCCER,WE BOTH DENSELY POPULATED ,THEY GOT FAVELAS IN RIO NIGERIA'S GOT AJEGUNLE IN LAGOS (BOTH SLUMS).YORUBA TRADITIONAL FESTIVALS AND GODS ARE HONORED AND WORSHIPED IN BOTH COUNTRIES
There is something missing in this. Brazilian imigrants and merchants,looking for opportunities for trade and better life settled down in coastal Nigeria along the espanse of Lagos and Calabar. They were the founders of modern day Lafiagi in Lagos,where you can see their mark in several portuguese style architecture. If you enter Onikan,to streets like Ajasa and Boyle street you will see this bulding surviving till today.
Besides, many Nigerians of Brazilain origin still bear the names of their forebears in Lagos. That is why you have such family names like Cardoso,Fernandes,Marinho etc in Lagos.
Thanks
Nigeria is similar 2 Brazil in terms of fast money making just as a scammers from Nigeria make $10,000 monthly from US greedy consumers...
While Brazil badguyz make $10,000 monthly from illegal sugar cane shipment to Asia
Well, for Nigeria and Brazil, i guess both share a festival of same sort.
I learnt, also in Brazil, Human rituals is also a form of a cultural display. Similar to what is obtainable in most Ethnic groups in Nigeria.
Well, since that Nigeria is the most populous country in the world, and that Brazil has the most number of citizens with African descent in the world, I'll say it's population and African culture.
On the plus side, both Brazillians and Nigerians are religious, crazy for soccer (or football), and both their capitals (Brasilia and Abuja, respectively) were built from scratch.
On the down side, there's the corruption.
That's all I know about the connection with Brazil and Nigeria.
I dont see the connection.
Both countries are unfortunately responsible for Environmental Degradation. In Brazil its deforestation while in Nigeria its due to oil exploitation.
Brazil and Nigeria due to the following are regional political and economic powers of their respective regions.
1. Large Population
2. Abundance of natural and geological resources
3. Constitutional democracies
4. History of political upheavals and military interventions
5. Young and sophisticated population
added with a significant amount of income inequality and prevalence poverty, Nigeria and Brazil HAVE A LOT in common.
Tunde Olaifa, Lagos Nigeria.
Some similarities have already been addressed in the comments, like the Yuruba culture and religion without mentioning the food. In religion however Brazil has a small muslin population when Nigerian north is even rulled by the sharia law.
Also geographically both countries have its shore in the Atlanctic and enjoy tropical climat.
The biggest commonality however is the fact that systems don't work on both countries and they are plagued by corruption in all levels. People aren't priority and politicians have divided the country for their own benefit.
If you really want to see how Brasil will look like after Lula and Dilma, just visit Nigeria.
Carlos Romano
Brazil is middle class, not poor.
Brazil is not just RIO u know?RIO is crap.
Brazil middle class reached 52% of its population george amadi.Brazil is facing struggles to become a developed country.Something that Nigeria should learn.Religion is not the opium right now.But politics have become our savior.LULA, actually.
Nigeria and Brazil have alot of things in common, population, culture, football, poverty and so on.
Brazil can to connect with almost any country in the world: Italy, Japan, Portugal, Spain, Germany, Nigeria, Korea, France, Israel, Lebanon, Turkey, China, etc. We have imigrants all over the world.
The headline for this article on the homepage is misspelled.
Apart from the origins and lineage caused by slave trading in the diaspora,the connection between my country(NIGERIA) and BRAZIL,lies in the entire cultural deities practised in the western(YORUBA) and Eastern(EFIKS).This practise,has a vast influence in the Brazilian cultural heritage bringing to limelight the international connection between this two countries.thank you.
Brazil has two sides quite different. The side of
Agriculture and business is very active despite being
directed primarily to low-value commodities
aggregate. Already the side of the people itself, there is extreme violence,
more than 50,000 violent deaths a year, public health
must be worse than that of Nigeria, public education
creates "scholars" that are ignorant and the framework is similar that's of
New Orleans when came Katrina. Our
Nature is beautiful but our people are still very
late. Politically we are at risk of retrogression
in terms of democracy (similar to Chavez in Venezuela), despite all the marketing
done by the federal government trying to show otherwise.
I fear for our future. We have real black people but the majority are crossbred of white, indians and black, and there are more true white than true black. In the south region of brazil there are much more white than black.
There is a group of seriously commited Brazilian people who have been working hard in order to stop inocent children from be killed due to the ignorance and supersticion in that country. You may learn more by click ing on
http://caminhonacoes.com/detalheconteudo.asp?idconteudo=48
The Old Orisha Yoruba religions of Nigeria were transported to Brazil and still exist. Yoruba is spoken in the Salvador region of Brazil!
Despite the influence of science and technology in third world countries, These two countries still embrace their cultures and traditions.
Jacquelyn Inimgba
Paris, France
both have HUGE lover futbul. I am for Nigera and am proud to say so!!! 🙂
Good Job CNN
Greetings from USA
Oil and corruption.
Having lived in Brazil for a great number of years, I don't thinks it's possible to compare Nigeria with Brazil as it is a know fact that Brazil is one of the most important emerging countries in the world ranking 5th in the GDB (Gross Domestic Product) List.
It is also important to note that Brazil is s country which accepts all Religions and all Races, it's an open and free Country and, in this respect, it can not be compared to any African Country.
dear friends
Both countries the political is deeply corruption and have no justice.
both full of corrupt officials
Long ago, in the Early Cretaceous,the weld that held Arica to South America in a super continent was severed and the two land masses drifted slowly apart. At the time of rupture massive volcanic flows occured. These flows, as basalt, areform the rim of the famous Iguazu Falls. So, the connection would be that up until about 220 million years ago y ou could have walked from Nigeia to Brazil.
CNN Dear friends,
I am a Brazilian citizen and I'd like to share, according to my experience and cultural immersion in Brazil, the views and connections between the two countries.
According to the history of Brazil in the seventeenth century, around 605.500 people were swept away in slave ships from his home in Nigeria (Gulf of Benin), and were turned into slaves in Brazil.
This is a very large number of people who have come to share their culture, religion, etc., since then, he believes. They built this country, working in the plantations of sugar cane, and through his hands, Brazil won the financial strength to become an independent country in the future.
Today, certainly many of us Brazilians have blood running through our veins in Nigeria, influencing our music, like samba which is played in the carnival, religion (Candomblé), capoeira (martial art), the food especially in Bahia (vatapd , amaranth, efo, acarajé and bobo, etc.).
I hope I could give you some ideas.
Respects
Railton da Silva carvalho
Palmas-To / Brazil
Suer there are similarities; Huge gap between rich and poor, dirty cities like Lagos etc, corruption. Did I hear anyone say Yoruba? Crap..the black people represent less than 5% of the population and the poorest! Did they all come from the same place? The fact that a few slaves still retain their satanic religion is nothing to celebrate about. Brazil is a mostly white country and the black people are very few and poor.
Yoruba, Juju, Orisha, Candomblé, Olodum
the two countries have a lot that they share in common. The blacks played a greater role in building Brazil and Brazilians know this for a fact and has not forgotten. Nigerian history is intertwin with Brazil as a lot of Brazilianzs trace their history and origin to Nigeria- Yoruba Tribe of south western Nigeria. The Bilateral relationship has been more dynamic in terms of culture, history, economic welfare and so on. Because blacks constitute a larger chunk of the population, Nigeria relationship with Brazil is kike brothers and sisters coming from the asme source . The way of dressing, music, food and so on of the two countries are the same. Nigeria has a culture house in Bahia one of the towns with the largest concentration of blacks in the country which houses a lot of nigerian art works. The Blacks in Brazil still believe in their gods back in africa as people here worship sango, osun, obatala and so on which are the Yoruba deities in Western nigeria. Some of them according to reports often go to Osogbo-the capital of Osun state of Nigeria to felicitate with their Kith and Kins and be part of Osun Oshogbo Festival which is performed yearly. Moreover, the Brazilian government encourages the blacks to know who they are and where they came from.Both countries are known to play the same style of soccer- samba. they both have oil even though nigeria still export oil to brazil
Merely they similar for obvious reason ,but there is stark differences in between.The best is to encourage both to remain united than to draw comparison .
CNN is looking for somthing to play with maybe.pele is a yorubaman even i saw his second in ikorodu lagos state nigeria.just look at nigros in brasil,i can link you easyly by selecting few nigeria nigros and brasilian nigros that look almost the same and am sure by studying their food,music.religion,nigeria nigros and brazilian nigros could be another hit show for cnn.EVERY FACE YOU SEE IN NIGERIA IS IN BRAZIL.
Dear CNN,
I am a Geologist, the only thing I can say is that Brazil and Nigeria do really have something in common. Geology told me that there was a time that South America and Africa was one (Joined), a force occured and faulted them apart and ocean drift also driffted them far apart. This is supported by a formation fault that ends in Nigeria and continues in Brazil.
Thank you
As a Brazilian I can say that our biggest connection is surely the cuisine, and joyful way to live.
You've picked a great pair of countries for a bit of consciousness-raising. Brazil and Nigeria actually have a strong historical link, as I discovered living in Lagos 2005-07. One of the most historic parts of old Lagos is its "Brazilian Quarter," settled by Yorubans returning to Lagos after being freed from slavery in Brazil in the mid-to late 19th century. The architecture of the area is Brazilian-Portuguese, and many Lagos families today actually have Brazilian-Portuguese surnames like Da Sousa, Da Silva, etc.
Southwestern Nigeria is dominated by the Yoruba ethnic group, from which huge numbers of slaves were taken by Portuguese slavers starting in the 16th century. Most went to Brazil, and northeastern Brazil, especially Bahia, today is full of people with Yoruban ancestral links to Nigeria. The old British colonial capital of Badagry, a few miles west of Lagos on the Nigerian coast, is loaded with all sorts of this sad slave history of the region. It's reminiscent of Goree Island in Dakar, Senegal or Elmina Castle in Ghana, but nowhere near as well-known or visited.
Start on Wikipedia (English) page "Brazil".
Find the link to "African Slaves"; it takes you to "Slavery in Brazil".
Click on "Atlantic slave trade", which takes you to the page of that name.
Find the link to "Bight of Benin", it takes you to the page of that name.
"Nigeria" occurs 6 times on this page; under "References" you'll find the link to Nigeria.
That's just one connection. There's probably more, i have no particular interest in the slavery history of either country. Most randomly selected pairs of Wikipedia pages are connected through a maximum of 8 steps (i tried, it's fun), with peaks up 10. Brazil-Nigeria is a relatively short path, indicating a stronger than average link between the two.
There is nothing i can say anymore, people here has said it all b4 me
In fact, i tend not to agree on many connections between these countries. From my point of view the main similarity is related to the passion for soccer. Both countries usually play very well and even have the same style. I believe that both countries should maximize the exchange of good players in order to enhace their soccer levels.
Both are experiencing a massive revival of biblical Christianity. Supernatural healings like what happen when we go to Brazil with Global awakening, or what happens when CFAN goes to Nigeria are evidence of this.
#1 is the fooball spirit.
#2 is the black population density.
#3 is the love for so much fun.
#4 is the unfathomable hospitality....even with the bad economy the people of these two places will always welcome you with a warm smile and open mind...so long as you don't fall into the wrong hands.
I know someone will answer "Yaa" if I shout "Igbo Kwenu" in Rio.
In Nigeria there is a God we worship called Yemoja. As a boy growing up in Nigeria, i watched a program called Fantastico a brazillian program and i believe they also worship Yemoja in Brazil
Attention CNN.
I am a fan of CNN. I think you should have tried to find which tribe in Nigeria connect with their kins in Brazil rather than finding what connects both countries.
Jamaican are sisters to the ghanians while the trinidads are decendants of the Biafrans igbo's in Nigeria.
@Jose Furlan and @Wolfgang, you strike me as twisting urself in circles to argue that Brazil is a so called "white country". The question I have to ask u is this, how many times have u heard a frenchman or an Englishman argue that their coutry is white. @Jamiu, you have exactly the same problem, u mention a stupid census to try to distance Brazil from Nigeria by claiming that only 5% of razillians are Black and that they are all poor.
I have resided in Brazil for 8 years and know that there is no way the population of blacks is 6%, It could be if u use the Brazilian method of dividing blacks into groups of Caboclo's, Mullatoes and amarellos and several hundred stupid descriptions. Wake up and smell the coffee, Brazil is as white as Mexico is spanish, pls get ur facts right.
Above all, there is "football" common in both of countries...
Brasil is the most famous contry in the field of football, which has been No.1 all around the world...
Nigeria is one of the stronggest teams in Africal along Cameroon,
Ghana etc....
My country(Republic of Korea) was competing with Nigeria in the
first round last World cup held in South Africa...
Both of teams almost in tandem in playing. Consequently although
Nigeria had been defeated, and I(a citizen of ROK) really joyous and
hillarious about it, I was really impressed by the strong spirits emitted
by Nigerian National team...
-both flags contain the color green for one !
-both countries gained independence !
-brazil is the most populous country in South America.
and Nigeria is Africa’s most populated country
the similarity comes in the area of poverty and soccer. if u go through the documentary of all the soccer stars from brazil and nigeria you will discover dat majority of them were poor before soccer made dem rich and famous
Both countries have oil, both over exploit their resources, both ignore their minorities, both have terrible crime, both do not respect basic human rights, both have enourmous slums where most of the population live in..... I just cant think of anything positive....
Both lost out in the world cup, both are riddled with corruption at the higest level, both contribute to world SPAM and illegal downloads, both have very high AIDS infections,.......
Still cant think of anythin positive.....
Nigerian leaders (presidents) are usually older than her, so also are Brazilian leaders. Unlike in the USA and Britain where their leaders are everly younger than their countries. Need not forget also, that both countries are blessed with naturally beautiful women.
The 2 Countries have oil and issues with Millitants.
Nigeria has African Reggae, Brazil has Afro-Reggae... and lots of other great music between them.
The connection is more physical than most people think. Some 250 million years ago, the west coast of Africa, where Nigeria is, was connected to the east coast of South America. This was during the existence of the supercontinent Pangaea. In fact norther Brazil share some distinct species as tropical west Africa.
Brazil and Nigeria are apt 1st subjects for this series.
– Both nations are deeply religious, Brazil with Catholicism and Nigeria with her religions.
– geographically, both nations are similarly placed.
– slaves who came from Nigeria made up a huge population of Brazilian plantation workers.
– some of those Nigerian slaves continued their worship of Yoruba religious deities which subsist till today.
– also, some of the slaves who returned to Nigeria maintain their Brazilian roots through the use of Brazilian names- Cardozo, Domingues, Fernandez etc as well as the Brazilian Quarter which remains in Lagos State, Nigeria.
– both nations are football crazy.
-there is a huge rate of crime and corruption in both countries.
– the colour green is present in the flags of both nations.
–
When I moved to Iondon five years ago I had the opportunity to meet many nigerians and I felt that our culture were quite similar in some ways,such as respecting the elderly and partying and etc.
Some words from the Yoruba language are the same as the ones used in the brazilian portuguese such as Exu for devil, Yemanja for the Goddess of the sea that Nigeria and Brazil both worship every year releasing little boats in the sea in her homage.
In the northeast of Brazil in the state of Bahia there are areas that still speak Yoruba up to today. Slavery only ended in 1888 in Brazil and around 3 million africans were brought here leaving brazil with the biggest african population outside of Africa only been beaten by Nigeria.
I'm Brazilian, living in São Paulo.
Brazil and nigeria are brother countries
Both are passionated with football
Tv telenovelas, music
Both have miscigenation
hot people
wonderful places
I've never been in Nigeria indeed, but I can talk about my country.
Good hosts
You can enjoy our beaches, forests, but we're not fool. You can't land here thinking its a forbidden paradise. There's a lot about us that you might know. so come and see by yourself.
There are in both countries humam been, good and bad ones like anywhere in the world.
The two countries are connected in so many ways such as culture and religion terms of idol worshipping.
In the religious tradition of Afro-Brazilian CandoMble, "Ogum" is a deity worshipped by the people of Bahai state in the north east part of Brazil. . The same deity known as "ogun"( n replacing m) is worshipped by the people of south west of Nigeria. i learnt that this deity is represented as St George in Brazil
The two countries have a common game i.e FOOTBALL. They are both extremely religious, and also in terms of population. Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa while Brazil is the most populous in South America.
Both Countries lies on the south atlantic. They are both developing countries with Brazil far ahead. They are both oil producing countries. They both have vibrant music and entertainment artists. They are populated by various ethnic groups. There is shared history that dates back to the slave trade. Their people both have a passion for life.
Strategically they have a lot to offer the world like the NATO Countries, these two should be the prime movers of SATO.
The sea port city of Calabar in Nigeria, was a major port in the transportation of African slaves to Brazil.
please take a look at these settings in processing the local foods for both countries:
Brazil: http://www.theworlds50best.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/torrando-a-farinha.JPG
Nigeria: http://www.geog.cam.ac.uk/research/projects/gendersensitivenrm/garri.jpg
Both Brazil and Nigeria have passion in worship. (God) brazil have the biggest statue of of Our Lord Jesus Christ. and Nigeria have the largest single church setting in the world. I think They both love the Lord. ENTERTAIMENT...................they both love and play football. Brazil is know of her carnival and Nigeria is known of their nollywood.
Dear Cnn. Writer
I really appreciated this article about Braizl and Nigeria. I´m a brazilian citizen and everytime I see a article about my Country I get very excited! As a matter effect there should be a review on the posts beacause a few of them don´t give the right facts and this could affect some understandings about brazilian history.
A few facts tha should be reviewed.
African slaves which were brought to Brazil weren´t from Nigeria but from the old Portuguese colonies in Africa such as: Cabo Verde, São Tomé e Príncipe, Guiné-Bissau, Angola and Moçambique.
Someone said that 80% of brazilian ancestry is african or either Nigerian, it´s a false fact. Brazil is a multiracial Country, the true facts are; 50% of the brazilians have african blood especially from West Africa ex-potuguese colonies, about 48% have caucasian background especially from: Portugal, Italy, Spain, Germany and in a lower scale from Holland and France. The other 2% are asians and native brazilians.
THese are the true facts about my Country Ancestry!
There is a major thing that connect Nigeria and Brazil. I am living in Brazil and I have been to Nigeria hundreds of times as a pilot.
The connecting link is Corruption and crime. Drugs and poor people.
both country officials, police force are utterly corrupt. Crime rate is high and so is use of drugs.
Both countries share a connection due to slavery, most of the slaves from the gulf of Benin ended up in Brazil and the Caribbean as well. The Yoruba deities have a strong presence in both countries as well the Catholic & Pentecostal churches. Brazil and Nigeria can claim to have the largest populations of black people on Earth.
Cassava is a staple dish in both countries (manioc in Brazil and garri in Nigeria).
Both countries are passionate about football.
Poverty is common in both countries.
Both countries have great human potential and resources.
Well, about 150 Million years ago they were together. It only makes sense that two countries that share geology (and hence resources) would share a multitude of other things....its all geology man!
both Nigeria and Brazil are some of the world's most famous countries in terms of sport, cultural heritage, football etc. i washed on TV some time a white Brazilian lady showing the Sango shrine to some tourists, a claim which surprised me. This shows that there is great connection between both couintries
Even though both have resources that could put them among the most developed economies, yet majority of their people continue to live in seriously pitiable poverty. A situation so precarious that the subsidy given a farmer in the USA to feed a cow daily surpasses what an average citizen of these two countries feed on.
While on a flag showing tour in the late seventies with the Nigerian Navy, we arrived in theBrazilian coastal town of Fortaleza. We were amazed when some natives offered to welcomeus. They were mostly in their eighties and even nineties, they told us. They spoke Portugese and had it translated into English through an interpreter. Then came what was to be the connection between us. They told us they had a language seperate from portugese and would like to entertain using that language. We obliged. When they started singing and dancing in circles, we were stunned. They were actually singing in Yoruba language of Nigeria. Their ancestors had been transported across the ocean from Lagos port some three hundred and fifty ago. Well, they requested drinking water from "HOME" so they can rest peacefully
since they sure they will never see HOME again. A very touching moment for us all and a good connection I must say.
There are so many connections but they are difficult to be put into a website paragraph. One positive thing to focus on is the cuisine of Bahia (North Eastern Brazil), the music and the clothing worn by those who still feel strong ties to West Africa.
1. You will see these same types of head garments (ex: http://www.virtourist.com/america/brazil/salvador/14.htm) worn in West Africa–inclusive of Nigeria.
2. You will find similar food dishes like that shown here: http://www.v-brazil.com/tourism/bahia/food-in-bahia.html
3. You will also note that the "batuque" rhythms found in so much of Brazil's awesome music was an West African origin and is still heard throughout that section of the continent... especially Nigeria.
a nice sound example is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbxudRAOgP0
4. The saddest and most horrific story is their historical treatment by the Portuguese: While Brazil was brutally colonized by Portugal Nigeria had many influences and interactions with the Portuguese. The name "Lagos" itself has a Portuguese origin...
You could dedicate an entire show to this topic. Its endless with both sad points and positive things.
And yes, there are many beautiful photos of Nigeria. Nollywood is mentioned so someone could have used a photo from that film industry... can it be changed?
These countries Nigeria and Brasil have many things in common ranging from trying to reduce poverty in th, restructuring the education sectors and also to meet the world standard of live
Before the continents of South America and Africa were separated, by movement of the tectonic plates ,what we now call Brazil and Nigeria were actually physically connected.
i think you have made the wrong connection i am of Nigerian heritage and Japanese and we have a lot in common try does 2 countries.
if it ok i can give you more information about these 2 countries even though i'm a little young but there was a trade among them in the late 16 to 18 century and some were believed to have stayed in the opposite country they are similarities in the langue and names culture and food tradition and more. i am just giving you a future connection japan and Nigeria.
Becky Anderson and the CNN Team.
Browsed through posted comments and one concludes that many "Historical/cultural Connect items" in common,some passionate others factual......geographical,slavery roots,religion,food,habits,oil exploration,rain forests,governments....all are correct. Life is not only "caipirinha" (local firewater) ,samba and carnaval !!
Yet there is one BIG item that needs to be foccused (if we are to be a Powerhouse or a true BRIC) ....that is :the Future. There is much to be done regarding "basic connects" :ex. health/nutrition/eductaion.....Then comes basic infrastructure in Brazil...such as roads/rail/ports/airports....all need
investment....and at a faster pace than what is currently planned. Here we are in 2010 and one will find farmers whose produce rots away because their trucks are stuck in deep mud and cannot reach the consumer ,be it local or export to other parts of the hungry World.
Emigrated to Brazil 40 years ago (US and Scottish ancestry,educated in UK)....from my basic knowledge of Nigeria and the African Continent...there is a lot in common between both countries and still a lot to be done,what a challenge !!!
Do keep up with your "clear,objective and very sharp" approach "Connecting" the realities of this part of the World.
Respectfully
Gerry Lewis
São Paulo ( Brasil)
correction: Brazil is *** putting *** sttruggles down.The HDI in Brazil is high, 0,813 and almost erradicating misery (extreme poverty).But Nigeria lies in 0,511 (very in the middle).
I think one way to connect is that Nigeria should follow Brazil, that faced the same struggles decades ago.Unfortunentaly Nigeria is still in the first phase of the demographic transition.With strong grownth in population.Controling that is difficult.
Inequality.Something that STILL shames Brazil, a country that hopes to much to be developed.We have number like and worst than Africa.Why???Too few people rich and too many poor.Good news: for the first time in the Lula goverment the inequality did not go up.IT went down, very little, but it was reduced.
People shoudl learn before connect.
Culture, Religion, Oil, Politics, Women & above all great passion for Football. NIGERIA: GOOD PEOPLE, GREAT NATION.
I have not visit Brazil, but I believe we share three important things in common. First, Like Nigerians, almost all Brazilians can play football. Football is played everywhere, name it, from a standard pitch to narrow street, football is played with a passion.
Second, large number of Africans were move to South America including Brazil as slaves. These people, particularly those in Brazil still kept some of their traditions. For intance, there are Ogun woshipers in Brazil of today. A traditional religion associated with the Yoruba of South West Nigeria.
Lastly, we both are "ian" i.e., Brazil-ian, Niger-ian.
There's so much similarity between both countries. We both love soccer,traditional worship of gods like yemoja and obatala is common to both countries. The bulk of ancient brazilians were slaves taken from Nigeria to work in the sugar plantations. The slave masters also settled in lagos in those days hence we have areas like campos. There's also laos in brazil which lagos was named after. Both countries have also got very beautiful women, love to dance, and our music is similar.
cassava which is the staple food in nigeria came from brazil and it is also the staple food of the brazillians. the brazillian music (samba) came from the western part of nigeria (yorubas). the yoruba language of nigeria is also spoken in brazil carried over by the slaves who were able to preserve the language till present day. voodoo and juju worshipping is still being practiced in brazil hundred of years after it was first taken there by the slaves from nigeria. most yoruba ceremonies that have died out in nigeria due to mass converts to christianity are still being practiced in their original forms in brazil. years ago a nigerian, a cuban, and a brazillian sat together and spoke yoruba, they all understood each other even after years of seperation by slavery.
the African traditional religions such as ifa,egungun etc are practiced both in Brazil and Nigeria.also both nations are extremely passionate about football.
Am Nigerian and some of the things my country has in common with Brazil would be the rich cultural heritage of both counties,the love of foothball/soccer by the people of both countries,our love for colourful fabrics, the fact that the people of both countries are deeply religious and some part of brazil and an ethic group in Nigeria speaks the same language called yoruba.
Nigeria's Akara and Brazil's Acarajé; black eyed bean fritters slaves bought from their homeland and passed down to their descendants. Acarajé is a popular food item sold by street vendors in Brazil.
honestly , the picture used here to depict Nigeria is wrong and unfair , Nigeria has beautiful places , beaches and metropolitan cities even though we are not fully developed , why was this picture used to represent us .To CNN , this is a nice program idea but this is not the way you should project us to the world , i can easily post funny and ill looking pictures of people from Brazil and even so called developed countries of the world . Please do not be partial and biased in what ever ways you are depicting both countries in future connections
thanks
Charles
So many people have talked about the cultural connection, which can be traced to the Atlantic slave trade and the forceful removal of Africans along the west African coast, in this case the Nigerian coast to serve as slave workers in the Americas.
However, I believe it is worthwhile motioning PANGAEA “the supercontinent that presumably existed during the Palaeozoic and Mesozoic eras about 250 million years ago”. A map of Pangaea shows that in the very distant past the regions of Nigeria and Brazil were once a continuous land mass only separated afterwards by tectonic forces. This can be proved by the similarities in flora / fauna and fossils found in both regions.
Check out Wolfram | Alpha's Comparism @
http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=Brazil+Nigeria
I have No comment on this crap,you guys always talking negative about black people, I don’t blame you guys because our Government is messing up. You can’t fool real Nigeria but we can fool you guys who claim to be wise. ,,,,, Naija for real. Nigeria will be a Great Country.
Brazil and Nigeria similar believes in Deities in Western Nigeria they have deities such as Osun, Ogun, Shango, Yemoja and Brazil have them too.
Olalekan George
from France
For sure, Brasil and Nigeria has a lot of connections that came from the past. I hope that the future will increase these connections. From my side, I'm preparing to live and work in Abuja for the next 2 years. I'm sure that I'll be very happy and realized in Nigeria that has so much links with Brasil.
Marcelo Oliveira – Rio de Janeiro
Wow! Love this topic! Brazil and Nigeria have sooo much in common its amazing! From the time when the Europeans (Portuguese) came and took away the people in the coastal part of Nigeria, the connection was made. The Yoruba speaking people still held on to their language, culture, foods way of worship etc till today. So you have people in Brazil worshipping gods like Yemoja, Oya, obatala etc which is our African traditional religion. Imagine! Brazilians have a food called akaraje which is the same as we have in Lagos? Amazing!
Meanwhile you know that some 'slaves' made their way back to Nigeria, Lagos island precisely and settled there, keeping the names of their slave masters? So in Lagos we have people with surnames names like Grillo, Dasilva, Dacosta, Perreiro, Dorego, Pedro etc They eat frejohn (a brazilan food) at Easter, have 'Fanti' (carnivals) They also have lots of houses in Lagos Island with traditional Brazilian (Portuguese) architecture like Christ Church cathedral etc. amazing isnt it?
Both countries share:
-a belief in a number of Orishas
-a language in common: Yoruba
-a love of soccer
-a love of spicy food (peri peri chicken)
-love for long hair. In Nigeria, many favour Brazillian weaves
You also have Nigerians (mostly Lagosians) who have some Brazillian ancestry and have Brazillian last names .e.g. Agusto...
I am delighted to see how many e-mails talk about the human connection – both historical and anthropological – of Nigeria and Brazil. During the time of the slave trade many Yorubas were taken to Brazil, and when the slave trade was abolished some Yorubas chose to return to Nigeria. They took with them trades they had learned in Brazil: being tailors, brick layers, masons, carpenters, etc. Some of the leading families of Lagos in the 20th century were of Brazilian origin – the DaSouzas, DaCostas, etc.
Thanks to all the people who remembered these important connections.
A second comment, because my first was about the connection looking at NIgeria. Now – with regards to Brazil. The Yoruba brought their religion, their food and their dances to Brazil in the 19th century. These have persisted in a wonderful way. Although I have visited Brazil only once it was during Carnaval in Rio, and my first night there I spent all night dancing with women of African origin – doing the same dances that I'd done during the time I lived in Ibadan (from 1963-1967).
Population
SHOWING THE WORLD THAT NIGERIA IS BUT A PICTURE OF VILLAGE WOMEN IS BAD PUBLICITY FOR US KINDLY CHANGE IT IF NOT FOR ANYTHING ELSE A PICTURE OF THE NATIONAL THEATER WILL DO
@CNN why will a new wonder, the statue be shown for brazil and some lost lookin women that most definately don't look like Nigeria be used to depict the gaint of African.where have the skycrappers in lagos and Abuja or the beautiful terrain of Jos, Calabar gone too.When will CNN stop showing bad things about my country. The other time it Nigeria witches.. Lik we don't have them in eastern europe.
I am a Nigerian of Yoruba decent. Nigeria and Brazil do have a lot in common; consider the following:
Virtually the whole black population of Brazil are of Yoruba decent; during the slave trade their ancestors were forcibly taken away to South Africa to work in the Plantations.
There are several Yoruba Festivals that do take place in Brazil because these former slaves had passed down the traditions of their Homeland in Nigeria to their generations after them. Lot's of Yoruba Deities from Nigeria do attend these festivals.
After the abolition of Slave trade lots of the former slaves returned back to their fatherland in Nigeria but retained their Brazilian/Portuguese names and have passed these names down to their children. Such names (Names like "Da Silva", "Fernandez") can be seen especially in Lagos Island area of Lagos State, Nigeria where you have several family compounds identified as "Brazilian compounds". They are regarded as Lagosians and have every right as any other Lagosian including rights to Chieftain titles.
These are basically Historical and Cultural Connections.
Geographically, Nigeria and Brazil have similar Tropical Climatic conditions with both of them being close to the equator. They both have Rain Forests and have large land areas in their respective sub-regions. Both are also richly blessed with Crude Oil.
In sports, Both countries almost seemingly worship Football (soccer) and have made their marks on the world stage.
The Producer,
CNN Global Connect
Thanks for this opportunity to participate in an innovation probably poised to seek global citizenry knowledge and relationship.
It is obvious that Brazil and Nigeria have a lot in common, which may be by accident or design. both countries share African descent, share certain traditional/cultural artistry, similar administrative structure, traditional/adopted religious faith, similar economic developing situation, almost the same bio-diversity/environmental domain including certain weather conditions, similar political antecedent (Millitocracy/Democracy)Similar populated African citizenry in the continents they are located. Both countries share similar colonial experience, share mass world human traffic experiences which have by accident or design painted a twin colour of nostalgia accompanied by complex activities embedded in socio-cultural/religious activities/festivals.
Dear Producer i am hoping that we would have the opportunity of mentioning other countries too who have similarities with Nigeria, such as Ghana, sierra- Leone, South Africa, Cuba, Trinidad & Tobago, etc
Finally in as much as people are entitled to their personal opinion, people should endeavour to provide positive contributions where necessary. This in itself, starts with the presentation of this programme, by posting similar or near similar portraits of both countries, rather than an unequal display of photo representation. I believe CNN has numerous photographs of Native Brazil. Probably some geographical landscape or National memorabilia should do.
I am Brazilian, 66 years old, and spent a lot of time travelling around the world, in regular business trips.
The most remarkable common point between Brazil and Nigeria is not the physical border over million years ago, nor the biggest population on the respective continents or some cultural heritage from the years of slavery, but the high corruption level, especially within the last 8 years.
Most musical instruments used by both countries are the same. The talking-drums, conga drums and the samba made of animal skin have African/Nigerian decent . Again, most fruits are found only in these two countries. The flaura and fauna are the same.
I LIVED IN BRASIL WITH MY WIFE FROM 1983 TO 1989. WE HAVE A BRAZILIAN DAUGHTER WHO IS NOW 25 YEARS OLD.
I HAVE SINCE TRAVELED TO MANY COUNTRIES BUT NO WHERE ELSE HAVE I ENCOUNTERED SUCH WARM AND FRIENDLY PEOPLE.
LEKAN ADAMS,
LAGOS, NIGERIA
One of the main links is slavery. From the 16th to 19th century around 3 million slaves were sent from Africa to Brazil. They now form an important part of the Brazilian population, and their cultural contribution includes religion, music and art.
Good to see you doing a program on Brazil. There is so much on CNN about Africa, the Middle East, Asia etc and never anything about the no longer sleeping giant Brazil – or South America in general. Let's have more – and not just about the rain forest or the latest crimes or disasters. Check out Brazil's economy, and how we have survived the world economic disasters. Tell the world a bit more about Brazil, and what a wonderful country it is today.
Chris Hieatt – Rio de Janeiro
I think a big connection between Brazil and Nigeria is religion.
The Yoruba people – when they were brought to Brazil, many were priest of the yoruba faith – belief and practicing Ifa – belief in the Orishas. they combined their practices with the catholics which allowed them to continue worshipping . Many Brazilians practice the yoruba religion and rituals. Dance, food and art are also influenced by both.
The link I think they both share is their love of sports specifically football.they have unleashed some of the greatest players we have ever seen.Nigeria with jay-jay okocha and the talisman known as nwakwo kanu and brazil with the likes of pele and ronaldinho.this is what I believe these two countries have in common
I think the similarities are a whole lot more than the differences. The cultural beliefs of the Yoruba in Nigeria are very similar to that in Brazil. Brazilians have the same deities as the Yoruba have examples are Shango, Ogun, Yemoja etc. Also cassava was first brought to Nigeria from Brazil and now it is our staple food, other foods we share in common is 'acara', which is called 'acaraje' in Brazil. The Lagos masquerade, Eyo, has links to Brazil. In Lagos there is the Brazilian quarters and an indigenous Lagos person is characterized not by a Yoruba name but by a Brazilian name such Pedro, Da Silva, Gomez. Most of the Brazilians in Lagos, when Nigeria was a British colony, were artisan, so in Lagos you can find a lot Brazilian style buildings.
I always believed the connection was obvious.
Besides being colonized by european countries with the objective of extracting natural resources, they both share high rates of corruption, poverty, illiteracy, criminality and social problems. There is also a great deal of bad wealth distribution, which makes it possible to see skyscrapers in one side, and in the other side slums.
I think the similarities are a whole lot more than the differences. The cultural beliefs of the Yoruba in Nigeria are very similar to that in Brazil. Brazilians have the same deities as the Yoruba have examples are Shango, Ogun, Yemoja etc. Also cassava was first brought to Nigeria from Brazil and now it is our staple food, other foods we share in common is 'acara', which is called 'acaraje' in Brazil.
The Lagos masquerade, Eyo, has links to Brazil. In Lagos there is the Brazilian quarters and an indigenous Lagos person is characterized not by a Yoruba name but by a Brazilian name such Pedro, Da Silva, Gomez. Most of the Brazilians in Lagos, when Nigeria was a British colony, were artisan, so in Lagos you can find a lot Brazilian style buildings.
I always believed the connection was obvious.
apart from the obvious fact that nigerians-yorubas in particular since they were unfortunate to live close to the ports(Badagry)during the slave era- were sold into slavery to till the soils of the Americas(Brazil and other colonies of those masters of a very gloomy age).There is no denying of the fact that brazilians have nigerian heritage.Nigerians(yorubas) themselves still exhibit residual traits of brazilians since after the post colonial era,some Nigerian who successfully traced their roots back home brought with them some new aspects of culture.Some of these connections as still evident today albeit gradaully fading, are names(pedro.carlos…),facial features,catholic churches,carnivals,well endowed ladies and men-I must say if not for anybody, I must speak for myself-,passion and natural flare for soccer.These, I can recall for the moment.
Christopher .O
Lagos,Nigeria
Their TV soaps reaches the whole of their respective continents eg. in Kenya and other African nations people watch Nigerian soaps while in Chile and other Southern and Central American countries watch Brazilian soaps and even have Brazilian Channels.
Both have abudant natural resourses which the locals dont enjoy as foreign investors manupulate them
Nigeria and Brazil are similar in two major ways:
1) similarities due to cultural transfer during the slave trade. These are explicit and can be easily related to each other.
2) The second set of similarities include the love for football, rich rain forest, and TV movies
Hello everyone. I think what is common between both two countries is that even in the face of hunger, misery, sadness, unemployment, pain and suffering, there is always a smile on theirs faces that becomes so contagious and colorful as the clothes of the Brazilians and Nigerians. I am Brazilian and blessed by God and what I admire most in these peolpe is the power they have in their smile in face it the precarious condition of life.
I am Nigeria with a Brazilian last name, my first name is Spanish with a Yoruba middle name which is a typical way, Yoruba people from Lagos state Name their Children. My father didnt need to trace his roots, he's from the Brazilian quaters of Lagos State although he visited the family courtyard in Brazil...... AND Yes we have similar passion for football/soccer, INFACT I predict NIGERIA WINS BRAZIL 2014 World CUP, food and dance- language in parts like Bahia and worship of deities. SOOO this is not NEW- NEWS!!!!!!! Countless Brazilian Surnames in Lagos State!!!!!
Brazilians of African descent, former slaves, returned home to Nigeria at the turn of the last century and settled in the heart of Lagos State, known as Isale Eko (pronounced /i sa le/ /ei co/ ). Every year, in honor of their ancestry, a carnival is held in Isale Eko on Boxing Day and it is called the Fanti Carnival (pronounced Fantee).
Dear becky,thank you for such a wonderful initiative.there is an authority on this Brazil Nigeria connection.the professor is a Nigerian living in Nigeria.He published a papar concerning these topic in 1987.His name is Professor Amosu of the department of foreign languages,lagos state University.LASU.The topic of the papar is
THE JADED HERITAGE:NIGERIA'S BRAZILIAN CONNECTION.His phone number is 08033240388 and 014083480.i have a copy that i am reading.everything said concerning their relationship is true.keep it up.looking forward to seeing some other countries and their connections.
The world famous Brazil carnivals has its origins from Nigeria.
It is a culture that has been carried over the Atlantic by Africans.
It is a common cultural thing in western African for masquerade to dance in the streets in street parties with huge gathering of people.
This is type of event dates back centuries and a common one still in practice today is the EYO festival of Lagos.
Both countries are deeply religious, passionate about football and have a good sense of fashion. I am also aware that yoruba, a major Nigerian language, is spoken by some populations of Brazil.
Dr Taiwo
Lagos
I was watching a telenovela and heard Yoruba being spoken fluently in a religious ritual!!! As a Nigerian I was naturally curious, and upon further investigation found that a form of Yoruba orisha religious veneration is still alive and well in Brazil. I think it's amazing that a part of the Nigerian culture is nestled on the other side of the world in Brazil!!!
Plus, I am a connection! Growing up one of my best friends was from Brazil – and I think we can both agree that we are from colorful, vibrant nations!!
Nothing!
These religious people need to shut up. What we need is not god. What we need is intellectual, rational and civil evolution.
But here's another point both countries have in common: the highest african-descendent population in the world.
I've been living in Brazil for about six years( I'm Nigerian) and one of the first things I noticed when I got here was the similarity in the warmth people from both country share. Brazil has the biggest population in South America and so does Nigeria in Africa. Back in the past when slaves were shipped down here from Africa, some were brought from Nigeria and consequently brought with them, some traditions including clothing and religion. This is more evident in the state of Bahia here in Brazil which has the largest concentration of blacks in the country. People there worship gods such as orixa, xango e.t.c , all from Nigeria, and even use a Nigerian language, yoruba, in prayers and incantations ( for those who are of the Candomblé religion).
I also remember that in Lagos there's a place called Brazilian quarters where Brazilians who went to Nigeria stayed along with their descendants. Although you can hardly find any Brazilians there today, the quarters still exit and so do descendants of Brazilians long gone.
Cnn, how could you depict this great Nation Nigeria with this picture and Brazil with its famous statue and expect people to show their connections? I can bet these people are not even Nigerians. You have to stop your obvious misguided impression you portray about Nigeria over the years. There are better pictures CNN could have used to show modern Nigeria. It is quite unfair for CNN to promote this.
Starting Global connections this way has no doubt taken the shine off what otherwise would have been a most interesting effort at connecting the world.
Becky Anderson please ensure the picture is changed to reflect the modern Nigeria.
Extensions Nigerians attach to their hair is obtained from voluntary sale of Brazilian's hair. (Nigerians use Brazillian's natural hair as extensions for their hair)
Both countries deeply love football
Both countries are oil producing countries
Salves from Nigeria were sent to Brazil
They are both big oil producers, with focus in deep water production. Brazil's Petrobras has operations in Nigeria using deep water techonolgy to extract crude from the delta of the Niger.
Both have strong believe in God, both have cultures that enjoy dancing and they like entertainment which can be seen in their soap films,sport and relaxation. And also history relates the existence of yoruba culture of Nigeria in Brazil.
Nigeria and Brazil are two significant countries in their respective continents that share many similarities. Both share historic ties which can be traced to the slave trade era where many African slaves were transported to South America to work on the plantations. After the abolition of slave trade, lots of Nigerian slaves dispersed and settled in parts of South America including Brazil while some others actually made their way back to Africa and resettled in the motherland, hence shared names like Fernandez and Cardoso between people from both countries. Recently, perhaps the most interesting connection between Nigeria and Brazil is that they have both been named by global economic research agencies as possessing the potential to become leading global economies by 2020. The immense human and material wealth owned by both countries mirrors the enormous potential they both possess and should serve as the driver of economic advancement in both countries thereby positioning them to play a greater role in global affairs in the near future
good day
are all the same shit full of corrupt thieves and ignorant people
people who protest do not know.
I am the "LCC Money Transfer" Country Manager in Republic of Ireland. I am Brazilian and I moved to Ireland ( Dublin ) in June 2009 when we reopen the company, here. The majority of our customers are Nigerians and Brazilians. The Nigerian community is very similar to the Brazilian community, regarding saving and sending money to their families back home; and keeping their culture, with many Nigerians and Brazilians shops offering food and clothing from their home countries. The principal feature that makes our business successful was that both communities are easily accessible. Its quite easy to make contacts with them because they are friendly and open for business relationships.
I think one of the strongest and saddest links between Nigeria and Brazil is the transatlantic slave trade that existed between the XVI and XIX centuries. The Oyo Empire of Nigeria, among other african empires sold slaves from other african tribes to the European Empires such as Great Britain, France, Spain and Portugal in exchange of goods. Most of the slaves ended up working in mines or plantations around the New World. Brazil was one of the main destinations, and its whole economy was built upon this never-stopping income of new labour force. Some historians argue that the Yoruba (one of Nigeria's many languages) was the "lingua franca" among the african slaves in the state of Bahia in Brazil. The portuguese spoken in Brazil has been enriched with many words and expressions from the yoruba language, such as "orixa" (god) and "ebo" (sacrifice). These words are used within the context of "candomble", a Brazilian religion that has deep roots in yoruba beliefs.
On the other hand, the consequences of the slave trade in Nigeria are more difficult to assess. However, we will never understand the suffering that those people lived.
Both have GREEN colour in their respective national flags
Both were colonised by european countries
Both had long history of trade by Portugese and British governance
Most popular sport in both countries is Football
They both had military forces as Head of States and Government overthrown by military coup
Non country capital city has the busiest airport Lagos for NIgeria, Sao Paulo for Brazil
They both have a -6 numbered states 26 for brazil 36 for Nigeria
Both have large and diverse tribal groups
Nigeria and brazil share a common local language – Yoruba. The yoruba spiritual culture is also similar between both countries.
In addition, both countries also have very colour carnivals. The Rio carnival in Brazil and the Calabar carnival in Nigeria.
Lastly, both countries have an amazing.....actually fanatical love for soccer.
As a Brazilian, I was aware that Brazil was lucky enough to receive a huge influence from Nigeria and other African countries in its culture, religion and cuisine from the many Nigerians who were brought to Brazil during those awful slavery times.
But I was surprise to hear that Nigeria has also been influenced by Brazil as many Nigerians who were ex-slaves in Brazil have returned to their home country and took with them some Portuguese words and Brazilian cultural influence and transferred that knowledge to their descendants. Therefore, that fact makes the two countries highly connected, as they were mutually influenced.
As a Brazilian, I was aware that Brazil was lucky enough to receive a huge influence from Nigeria and other African countries in its culture, religion and cuisine from the many Nigerians who were brought to Brazil during those awful slavery times.
But I was surprise to hear that Nigeria has also been influenced by Brazil as many Nigerians have returned to their home country and took with them some Portuguese words and Brazilian cultural influence and transferred that knowledge to their descendants. Therefore, that fact makes the two countries highly connected, as they were mutually influenced.
It is impossible to imagine how Brazil would be these days without the influence we had and have from Africa in general. 80% or more of the inhabitants from some of our NorthEast states are African related, which makes Brazil the second country in the world with more black citizens. Guess which is the first country? Nigeria! 🙂
Nigeria and Brazil have so much passion for football and is a very strong passion that can't be broken. Both young, old and a child still in the womb love football.
After all connections established, my question is how can both countries learn and exchange ideas, to better both nations and it's people.
Nigeria and Brazil are Countries that have been Oppressed because of Corrupted, Greedy Governments. For this reason people from these countries not knowing what to do "LOST" have turned the wrong way by turning to Black Magic, Fortune Tellers, Idols,Tormenting and selling and killing Innocent children, therefore their punishment has been even more severe. GOD has given them many signs for the people to look for Him for His Mercy as Our Holy Mother is ready to Comfort her children. These two countries are in common because of the fact they have turned the wrong way for Help of a Corrupted Government. Look for God.
Beloit WI USA
the people.
Brazilian mother + Nigerian father = Taio Cruz 🙂
i see few things in common. both countries have rain forest, big oil resources and the passion about football.
..There are many Nigerians (mainly Lagosian) of Brazilian descent. I had a friend in Lagos then known as Mrs Fernandez. The husband is of Brazilian descent. I remember the likes of the former Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)'s MD, Mr Festus Marinho, among Lagosians of Brazilian descent. There exists many old Brazilan achitecture on Lagos Island – EKO, till this day. Infact the name Lagos has Portugues roots. In addition, the Eyo festival, & its carnival trains, that is held in Lagos island every year is traceable to Brazil.
..There are many Nigerians (mainly Lagosian) of Brazilian descent. I had a friend in Lagos then known as Mrs Fernandez. The husband is of Brazilian descent. I remember the likes of the former Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)'s MD, Mr Festus Marinho, among Lagosians of Brazilian descent. Infact, Pedro, Da silva, Cardoso, Edu are some of the common names of Lagos islanders. There exists many old Brazilan achitecture (Brazilian Quarters) on Lagos Island – EKO, till this day. Infact the name Lagos has Portugues roots. In addition, the Eyo Masquerede, & its carnival trains, as well as the Fanti carnival that is held in Lagos island every year is traceable to Brazil.
FRIENDLY AND ENTERTAINMENT
FRIENDLY =
( They easily interact and cope with other race,Life is a big party no spacial date for it, they always come together for parties.)
ENTERTAINMENT =
(Movies,Cultural Dance,Football,TV Show & Carnival.)
Edwin,...
Kuala Lumpur
Dear
I'm Brazilian and after ready some comments about Brazil and Nigeria, I tell for all, we have a mix of the race people, so we have a varied culture, it's possible to do connect with many other coutries, certainly there one more expressive than others (Nigeria is good expressive example)...came to Brazil we are a people friendly and peaciful...I would like to tell for Edgar Franco Candido my fellow country man, " the portuguese don't do african slave, the slaves were ofered to portuguese in slave condition, after war between african tribe", According to the Brazilian history.
Hug for Nigerian
DEAR CNN,
WE BOTH KNOW THERE BETTER PLACE TO SHOWCASE IN NIGERIA THAN THOSE VILLAGE WOMEN.PLEASE USE BETTER SIGHT TO POTRAY MY COUNTRY AT LEAST FOR THE POEPLE WHO HAVE NEVER BEEN TO NIGERIA.SHOWING THE PICTURE OF A VILLAGE WQMAN TO POTRAY A COUNTRY TO THE WORLD IS BAD;WHY BEAUTIFUL STATUE FOR BRAZIL AND VILLAGE WOMAN FOR NIGERIA? KINDLY CHANGE THE PICTURE.THANKS
.
DUROSANYA OLSUNKANMI
4RM LAGOS,NIGERIA.
most blacks in brazil were slaves from nigeria, that is why they still practice and observe cultures they took with them. these could be seen in the Gods they worship and the rituals performed during these worships, all reminiscent of the Yoruba tribes culture from western nigeria. Their food is also identical to the some of nigerian cuisine.
what about the connections between Thailand and Belgium?? When King Bauduin of Belgium was still alive . he and the Thai King were the two longest reigning monarchs , they had the same age, they became both king in very special conditions, the Thai King met his Thai wife thanks to the Belgian King.
In Bangkok there is the Thai Belgium Friendship Bridge, shipped all the way from Brussels, in Thailand you have the Belgian Club of Thailand, in Belgium you have organisation as ThaiBel, Beluthai and many others.
The first foreigner in Thailand being a noble was a Belgian guy.
I think enough for a few hours of global connections
Gee
A Belgian living in Bangkok
some hair extensions fit nicely to the your natural hair while others do not fit easily *'`
I'm Brazillian, I live in copacabana – Rio de Janeiro.
I love my country. *-*
I think one of the things that Brazil has "in common" with Nigeria (and other countries in Africa) is the religion.
Brazil is a country heavily mystical, where beliefs and religions mingle syncretize each other.
African-Brazilian religiosity is very strong and traditional in all my country.
About of course, the football in Brazil and Nigeria, it's a important thing for us. haha. ^-^
Nigeria and brazil was connected together as one big continent-Gondwana. Tectonic history has it that the plate was split and there came the separation of South America and Africa. So uptil now, so many geologic features of Brazil are successfully extrapolated to some west african countries including Nigeria. Lest the abundant reserves of oil and gas in the two countries.
To the moderator, Brazil and Nigeria has the followings in common:
(1) Soccer otherwise called Football is a great connection for both countries when it comes to sports and when the 2 countries face each other in finals, it turns to rivalry.
(2) The 2 countries practiced presidential system of government, hence divided into states.
(3) They both have rain forest in their geographical location especially the Amazon forest in Brazil and the rain forest in the Western part of Nigeria.
(4) The 2 countries are deeply rooted in traditional cultures, carnival, values and voodoos.
(5) They both love music and movies.
(6) The 2 countries has a lot of black african population.
(7 Even though Nigerian official language is English while that of Brazil is Portuguese, Brazillians speak English too.
(8) The 2 countries are naturally endowed with mineral resources and has abundance of crude oil and gas even though Brazil is now leaning more into Biofuels.
(9) Yoruba Language is spoken in some parts of both countries.
(10) Both countries were at one time colonized prior to their independence.
(11) The two countries were at one time ruled by military leders.
(12) Both countries are developing countries economically.
(13) The two countries citizens are multi-lingual as they have numerous dialects.
(14) The two countries have well developed area and the slum neighbouhoods.
(15) They both have green colours in their flags.
(16) The two countries are bounded by Atlantic Ocean.
I hope the above enumerated points will give you an insight into what the two countries has in common.
Thanks and have a nice day.
Honourable Oluwaseyi Ogunyinka.
U.S.A.
Thanks for some other informative website. The place else may just I am getting that type of information written in such an ideal approach? I have a project that I am just now working on, and I have been at the look out for such information.
the most important reason to connect brazil and nigeria is the relationship they both have concerning the trans-atlantic slave trade that displaced so many africans from their homes to live in servitude at the hands of the europeans. another major reason is candomble, one of the most prominent expressions of yoruba traditional religion in brazil. the religious culture of the orisa is found all over brasil, and has given birth to lots of the culture and folklore. and by extension the food of brazilians of african descent that has influenced the culinary arts of most of the country. .....and did we mention soccer. : )
also the brazilians expatriat community living in coastal nigeria and benin republic known as the aguda. and the aggressive american style pentecostal evangelism occuring in both nigeria and brazil at alarming rates, and that has not improved the general well-being nor infrastructure nor helped irradicate the corruption in either of those countries.
Strange no one has mentioned diamonds... Africa and Brazil are the only two places carbonado diamonds can be found which is proof enough for me (along with the shape of South America and west Africa that seemingly fits perfectly together like a puzzle piece) that there is little doubt the earth was connected at one point in time. Perhaps the Tower of Babel myth also is based on plate tectonics just told in a way that the people of that time could perceive more clearly without actually becoming educated enough to think for themselves.
the only thing that can brings brasil and nigeria together is culture,carnival.we all knw dat brasil brought carnival to lagos,they could decide to show us a way to advance the way of carnival.we can have what we call mix carnival,i tink it will really advance d level of carnival in nigeria,and of course brasil will also gain from this.
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