They may be small in number but Brazilians in Dayton are spotlighting their heritage this week in a big way. Marking over 200 years since they split from the Portuguese crown, barbeques and relaxing sertenajo country music are just a few of the ways they’re honoring the South American giant’s birthday.
For international student Yann Perreira Zardo, Sep. 7 is day reserved for his loved ones. Whether he’s in his hometown of Goiania or nearly 4,500 miles away in Dayton makes no difference to the Physical Therapy major at Sinclair. A day meant to honor his nation’s history and heritage is the ideal time connect with family and friends.
“Back home it’s a very important day. Usually we spend it at home with our family. In Brazilian culture, family is very important so any holiday is a lot more personal,” he said.
Like many who have made the long journey from South America to Dayton, Zardo has been lucky enough to carve out a place for himself in the Midwest. Here he’s made plenty of friends, has many relatives, and while he misses his hometown is keen on sharing Independence Day with as much fervor as he would at home. This year, with help from his brother and other compatriots, he had an opportunity to make it happen.
Zardo said, “Because our schedules are so different, we weren’t able to meet on Sep. 7, so we had to get together before that.”
True to his word, family and friends of Yann and his rother Iago Zardo were treated to a classic Brazilian barbeque. First timers got a taste of real churrasco, as well as a mouthwatering assortment of ingredients that included chimicurri, mandioca, and vinaigrette. Thanks to their fellow Goian and Sinclair student Julio Pitaluga, Yann and his brother would have help preparing the meal and digging in after it was done.
“It’s a good holiday for remembrance,” Pitaluga, the Visual Communications Major said.
It should come as no surprise that the succulent churrasco de chorizo and pao de alho conjure feelings of nostalgia for Pitaluga. For him, thoughts of Independence Day inevitably connect to a particularly powerful moment in his youth.
“Because of how important it is on the national calendar, there are a lot of marches by the military and the police as well as air shows,” Pitaluga said.
“My favorite Independence Day memory happened during one of those events. I was around 18 or 19 and my cousin invited me to watch the police march from the grandstand. It had always been my dream to see it from there.”
Many other Brazilians in Dayton will be feeling just as nostalgic and proud throughout their nation’s independence day week. They’ll be comforted to know that across the Isthmus of Panama, hundreds of millions will be feeling exactly the same.
Ismael David Mujahid.
Managing Editor.
Photos courtesy of Julio Pitaluga.