6 New Year’s Eve traditions that are typically Brazilian

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The last day of the year has arrived, with 2022 being right in front of our eyes. In spite of the issues that have been dragging since 2020 – most notably, the pandemic -, 2021 has also been filled with positive happenings.

The worldwide access to vaccination against Covid-19 and the gradual return to daily life activities, as well as the reopening of stores, parks, cultural centers, schools, etc., are some of them.

Every December 31, beaches in Brazil’s main coastal cities are usually filled with crowds of tourists and residents who euphorically await the new year with a bottom of champagne. Because of the pandemic, the music shows that always happen on beaches like Copacabana had to be canceled for the second consecutive year.

This does not mean, however, that one cannot celebrate the coming of 2022 in the best Brazilian style.

The Rio Times has selected some of the nicest and most authentic traditions, habits, rituals that usually follow what is considered a Brazilian New Year’s Eve. Find them below:

1) Watching the fireworks show at the Copacabana beach – The most famous beach in Brazil is also the address of the most tourist New Year’s party in the entire country. While shows have been canceled due to the risk of agglomeration, the fireworks show is 100% confirmed!

This 16-minute spectacle can be seen from any point of Copacabana beach. There will be fireworks on seven other beaches in Rio’s city. Here’s more info about it.

2) Putting on new underwear, of a color that matches your wishes – The superstitious ones say it is fundamental to use brand new underwear on the 31. More than that, it is fundamental that you consciously pick the color according to what you aim for in the coming year. Green means hope, red means love, white means peace, and so on. More on the meaning of colors can be found here.

3) Putting on an all-white outfit – Apart from this very peculiar underwear tradition, another specific habit, especially among those who spend New Year’s on the beach, is wearing white. This tradition comes from Afro-Brazilian religions and is believed to attract good vibrations and push the bad ones away.

4) Having rice and lentils for the New Year’s supper – Lentils are a very common dish on Brazilian tables during this occasion. People use to say the ingredient brings good luck for the year that comes. While rice-and-lentils is the most popular lentils-based dish, other recipes using this ingredient can be found here.

5) Jumping through seven waves – One of the most fun rituals Brazilians do when they spend New Year’s on the beach is jumping through seven waves as soon as the clock strikes midnight. This is also a tradition born from the liturgies of the Afro-Brazilian religions, and the idea is to either thank for seven of the last year’s achievements or ask for seven wishes for the new year.

6) Eating pomegranates – Pomegranates are not at all part of the daily diet in Brazil. However, many people here have at least one pomegranate on December 31 as this fruit is supposed to bring prosperity to the life of those who eat it. Bear in mind, though, that in order to attract good things, you are only supposed to eat the pulp.