Adeyinka Olaiya, Sao Paulo/
Igbo people in Brazil have emerged as one of the most influential settlers in the Latin American nation and a big player in the socio-political and cultural circles.
Like their Yoruba brethren from Nigeria, the population of the Igbo people living and plying their trade in Sao Paulo, Brazil appears to be increasing every day, as families are growing, many are getting married, and children are raised as Igbo children in the Brazilian society.
NewsmakersNG found that a very large number of the Igbo people living in Brazil are good professionals in the medical sciences, language education, pastoral services, entrepreneurship, commercial ventures, eateries, a fashion business and beauty shops.
“This is not just about Yoruba culture and tradition; neither is it the Yoruba traditional religion. It is all about the Ndigbo and our impacts around the world. We introduced door to door commerce to the Nigerian people; we brought commerce to the Yoruba land; Aje festival recently in Ile-Ife was dedicated to us; we teach commerce and blends it with our culture and tradition around the globe. Our communities are around the world. We have also discovered Brazil and have come to stay. We are positive,” Chidiebere told NewsmakersNG.
The Igbo families in Brazil are obviously not sharing the same traditional religious semblances with the native Brazilians since many Igbos are Christians, pastors and owners of over 70 per cent of the African churches functioning in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Today in Sao Paulo, an average Brazilian would rather refer to a Nigerian on the street as “ NWANNE“ in Igbo language meaning “my brother”, to describe his acceptance and proximity towards the dailies of the people of the Eastern part of Nigeria living in Brazil.
The Igbo people living in Sao Paulo, Brazil are the majority pastors in most of the African gospel churches. Songs and sermons are mostly delivered in English and in the Igbo language; church members are resplendent in Igbo attires on Sundays; the native Brazilians married to the Igbos also dress to reflect the strong African culture.
Moreover, Igbo cuisines are shared after church services while members share ideas on how to further develop the Igbo communities in Brazil.
The Igbos in Brazil are all politically inclined. They frequently host campaigns and seminars, though some are still nursing the separatist ideas, even though several Igbo religious leaders pray often for the betterment of Nigeria as a whole.
Pastor David Kennedy, Rev. Pastor Chinaka Justin Mbaeri, Pastor Charles and several other pastors have had programs of joint prayers for Nigeria.
The Nigerian community in Brazil is also having several active Igbo members in the executive council.
Apart from the general Ndigbo Movement, most Igbo communities are also having state and local government meetings in Brazil.
Imo, Enugu, Anambra and several other state associations are created by the Igbos in Brazil.
The Igbo traditional and culture are mostly celebrated among the Igbo elders in Brazil. Elders meet to observe the necessary Igbo culture. The traditional Igbo Yam festival is always celebrated in Brazil among the Igbos just as it is observed in the homeland.
Different from the Caribbean Islands where there are Igbo settlements, Igbo shrines and gods, the Igbos in Brazil are practically all Christians. They do not participate in the traditional religion “Candomblé” as the Yoruba people in Brazil do.
An Igbo cleric born in Brazil, Pastor Samuel King relates a promising future to the Igbo race in Brazil.
“I am a proud Brazilian and a grateful Igbo son,” he told NewsmakersNG.
The majority of the Nigerian Igbos are the owners of shops and African restaurants in Sao Paulo. They keep the African lives awake with the Igbo language spoken in every nook and cranny of the city of Sao Paulo; many seem not ready to speak the Portuguese language except the need is necessary. The dressings are always gorgeous, elegant and attractive.
The Igbo people are also penetrating the Brazilian entertainment industry with Igbo home videos, Miss Africa/Brazil pageants, Cultural parties and celebrations.
Chinedu, an Igbo man who has been living in Brazil for over 20 years, said, “We are not perfect. We make mistakes just like every other tribe here in Brazil, but I believe it is time we put the negative part aside and talk about the good things we contribute to this country.”
He also related how young Igbo boys participate in every midnight sales business in Sao Paulo, popularly called “25 de Março” recently introduced by the state local government to promote night sales.
It is no doubt that Brazil in recent times has become the homeland of the Igbos, who often referred to their race as the lost tribe of Israel.
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