Michael Thomas
Word count: 1802
“I affirm that this assignment was written by me, in accordance with the rules and regulations
governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students”
‘How does Portugal’s adoption of Brazilian trends reflect colonial history?’
Introduction
The 16th-century ‘accidental’ discovery of Brazil by the Portuguese was a pivotal event that
led to a complex and enduring relationship between the colonizer and the colony. As the
Portuguese embarked with the intention to explore sea routes to South Africa, they were
instead led to previously unexplored land, now known as Brazil. This discovery resulted in
Portugal being the first channel of interaction between all of the continents.Thus, beginning
globalization. The impact of this discovery has withstanded through centuries leading to an
enduring mark on both cultures of Portugal and Brazil. The cultural exchanges between
colonizer and colony have far-reaching consequences that have continued to shape
contemporary landscapes into the modern era. In this context, the discovery of Brazil
continues to shape the cultural dynamics between the two nations. An exploration of how
Portugal adopts Brazilian trends is significant to our understanding of colonial history. The
relationship between globalization and cultural identity will be explored through a close
examination of Portugal’s adoption of Brazilian trends through the research question ‘How
does Portugal’s adoption of Brazilian trends reflect colonial history?’. This will lead to the
understanding of the dynamics of cultural exchange and the impact on cultural identities.
Concepts
The concepts of globalization and the nation’s identity are a central theme in the exploration
of how Portugal’s adoption of Brazilian trends reflects its colonial history. Nation identity
tackles the sense of belonging, shared culture and values that define a nation and the people
in it. Portugal has a rich colonial history and this legacy of colonialism has impacted
Portugal’s identity and its cultural expression, social structures and people’s self-perceptions.
Globalization is a force that has allowed exchanges and interactions that transcend the
national borders. Globalization has facilitated the exchange of cultures and products and has
enabled the infusion of trends into other cultures. The combination of how globalization and
, nations identity are intertwined is revealed as this paper researches and focuses on the
adoption of Brazilian trends by Portugal.
The Influence of Globalization on Cultural Trends
Cultural Globalization is a concept that refers to the transmission or diffusion beyond
national borders, it encapsulates diverse global cultures that originate from different nations.
Usually in the forms of media and arts. Different cultures from different nations interact and
influence each other. As Cranes said "Cultural Globalization is recognised as a complex and
diverse phenomenon consisting of global cultures, originating from many different nations
and regions."(Cranes 2002). This clearly identifies how cultural globalization is a dynamic
exchange in which cultures contribute to other cultures on a global scale. Cultural
Globalization allows for elements of cultures such as music, food, art and fashion to reach
outside of their origins and end up in other cultures.
Technological convergence has been an important influence in how globalization has
facilitated the exchange of cultural elements. The emergence of digital communication has
allowed for cultures to interact through digital channels instantaneously with a global
audience. The rapid transmission of media content allows people from different nations to be
influenced by cultural elements through an online platform. The rise of online communities
has created a space for global appreciation of local products. Individuals not only can explore
cultural elements from different regions but are also able to contribute to the hybridization of
traditions.
Portugal’s adoption of Brazilian trends sheds light to the globalization between these two
nations. Among many trends that have gained popularity, one notable trend Portugal has
infused into its own is the Brazilian music genres such as Bossa Nova and Funk which play a
significant role in the music scene of Portugal. Yet Brazilian Funk has not only been widely
enjoyed by Portugal but has captured the attention of Portuguese youth who have
enthusiastically embraced it within the social media platform of TikTok. The popularity of
the funk genre has led to Portuguese charts being partly overtaken by Brazilian artists. As
seen on Billboard’s top charts, where 40% of the songs are by Brazilian artists (Billboard
2023). This lead in charts has affected the Portuguese nightlife in dance clubs where there are
funk themed events on a weekly basis. This adoption of the Brazilian funk music genre is
Word count: 1802
“I affirm that this assignment was written by me, in accordance with the rules and regulations
governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students”
‘How does Portugal’s adoption of Brazilian trends reflect colonial history?’
Introduction
The 16th-century ‘accidental’ discovery of Brazil by the Portuguese was a pivotal event that
led to a complex and enduring relationship between the colonizer and the colony. As the
Portuguese embarked with the intention to explore sea routes to South Africa, they were
instead led to previously unexplored land, now known as Brazil. This discovery resulted in
Portugal being the first channel of interaction between all of the continents.Thus, beginning
globalization. The impact of this discovery has withstanded through centuries leading to an
enduring mark on both cultures of Portugal and Brazil. The cultural exchanges between
colonizer and colony have far-reaching consequences that have continued to shape
contemporary landscapes into the modern era. In this context, the discovery of Brazil
continues to shape the cultural dynamics between the two nations. An exploration of how
Portugal adopts Brazilian trends is significant to our understanding of colonial history. The
relationship between globalization and cultural identity will be explored through a close
examination of Portugal’s adoption of Brazilian trends through the research question ‘How
does Portugal’s adoption of Brazilian trends reflect colonial history?’. This will lead to the
understanding of the dynamics of cultural exchange and the impact on cultural identities.
Concepts
The concepts of globalization and the nation’s identity are a central theme in the exploration
of how Portugal’s adoption of Brazilian trends reflects its colonial history. Nation identity
tackles the sense of belonging, shared culture and values that define a nation and the people
in it. Portugal has a rich colonial history and this legacy of colonialism has impacted
Portugal’s identity and its cultural expression, social structures and people’s self-perceptions.
Globalization is a force that has allowed exchanges and interactions that transcend the
national borders. Globalization has facilitated the exchange of cultures and products and has
enabled the infusion of trends into other cultures. The combination of how globalization and
, nations identity are intertwined is revealed as this paper researches and focuses on the
adoption of Brazilian trends by Portugal.
The Influence of Globalization on Cultural Trends
Cultural Globalization is a concept that refers to the transmission or diffusion beyond
national borders, it encapsulates diverse global cultures that originate from different nations.
Usually in the forms of media and arts. Different cultures from different nations interact and
influence each other. As Cranes said "Cultural Globalization is recognised as a complex and
diverse phenomenon consisting of global cultures, originating from many different nations
and regions."(Cranes 2002). This clearly identifies how cultural globalization is a dynamic
exchange in which cultures contribute to other cultures on a global scale. Cultural
Globalization allows for elements of cultures such as music, food, art and fashion to reach
outside of their origins and end up in other cultures.
Technological convergence has been an important influence in how globalization has
facilitated the exchange of cultural elements. The emergence of digital communication has
allowed for cultures to interact through digital channels instantaneously with a global
audience. The rapid transmission of media content allows people from different nations to be
influenced by cultural elements through an online platform. The rise of online communities
has created a space for global appreciation of local products. Individuals not only can explore
cultural elements from different regions but are also able to contribute to the hybridization of
traditions.
Portugal’s adoption of Brazilian trends sheds light to the globalization between these two
nations. Among many trends that have gained popularity, one notable trend Portugal has
infused into its own is the Brazilian music genres such as Bossa Nova and Funk which play a
significant role in the music scene of Portugal. Yet Brazilian Funk has not only been widely
enjoyed by Portugal but has captured the attention of Portuguese youth who have
enthusiastically embraced it within the social media platform of TikTok. The popularity of
the funk genre has led to Portuguese charts being partly overtaken by Brazilian artists. As
seen on Billboard’s top charts, where 40% of the songs are by Brazilian artists (Billboard
2023). This lead in charts has affected the Portuguese nightlife in dance clubs where there are
funk themed events on a weekly basis. This adoption of the Brazilian funk music genre is
