The Central-West Region of Brazil, formed by the states of Goiás, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul and the Federal District, has a total of 14,058,094 inhabitants, according to the demographic census of the IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics), from 2010.
In the region, there is a cultural diversity richly influenced by indigenous, Bolivian and Paraguayan cultures.
In addition, the Midwest was influenced by cultural aspects of numerous migrants, due to borders that it does with all other parts of Brazil - Northeast, North, Southeast and South, a fact that does not occur in any other region.
Midwestern Region Festivals
Discover the main popular festivals that are part of the culture of the Midwest Region of Brazil.
Cavalcade
THE Cavalcade is the best known festival in the region. It is the reenactment of a medieval battle held in the open air, where a group of knights dresses in blue, representing the Christians, and a group of knights dresses in red, representing the Moors.
The festival lasts for three days, and its outcome is the victory of the Christians over the Moors and their conversion to Christianity.
In Pirenópolis, the party is a tourist attraction and takes thousands of people to the State of Goiás.
bonfire
O bonfire it is another important festival typical of the Midwest region that also takes place in Goiás and is a tourist attraction. It is a procession in which the arrest of Jesus is staged and, therefore, takes place during Holy Week.
Other parties in the Midwest Region
In addition to Cavalhada and Fogaréu, the following parties are also celebrated.
- Kings' Folia
- Feast of the Divine
- Saint Benedict's Feast
- Pilgrimages of the Divine Eternal Father
- Catalan Congada
- Our Lady of the Navigators
Dances from the Midwest Region
Check below a selection of the main dances present in cultural events in the Midwest Region.
crab
Religious in nature, it is danced by men and women, including children, to the sound of the ganzá, the mocho and the viola de cocho (a typical instrument of the region and recognized as a national heritage).
When dancing, the participants seem to be playing indigenous games.
Cururu
The caruru is danced exclusively by men, to the sound of the viola de mocho, the reco-reco and the ganzá, as well as the challenge of the repentistas - a legacy of the migrants from São Paulo.
Also of a religious nature, it is present especially in the festivities of the Divine Holy Spirit.
Other typical dances from the Midwest Region
- Catira or Cateretê
- Chump
- Cirandinha or Sarandi
- Xote
- Drum
Music from the Midwest Region
Discover the typical musical styles of the Midwest of Brazil.
- country music*
- viola fashion
- cracked
- Guarania
- punk
- rock
* country music is the main musical expression of the Midwest.
Clothing from the Midwest Region
In general, the clothes used in the Midwest are as urban as those used in the rest of the country, that is, there is no specific typical costume.
However, due to the importance of the sertanejo in the Midwest, some trends are more popular in this region than in others.
This is the case, for example, of wearing a hat, boots, tight pants, leather jackets/vests, belts with large buckles, a plaid shirt, among others.
Jokes from the Midwest Region
Discover the most traditional games in the Midwest.
- coffin scale
- english chocolate
- fruit, fruit, fruit
- Wireless phone
- Butter bar
- chicken, chick and fox
Cuisine of the Midwest Region
Since agriculture in the Midwest region is rich in the cultivation of corn, rice and cassava, many of the typical dishes of its gastronomy have these ingredients as a base.
Rice with pequi
Rice with pequi is a very popular dish in the region, especially in the culture of Goiás. Pequi is a fruit that is usually consumed straight, with chicken or rice.
Mandioca Cake
The cassava dumpling is usually filled with ground beef, jerky or cheese.
Rice cake
Rice cake is a very popular delicacy in Cuiabá, Mato Grosso. Besides rice, other ingredients used in its preparation are cassava, coconut, cinnamon, butter, sugar, salt and yeast.
chipa
Chipa is an original dish from Paraguay that became popular and became typical of the Midwest Region of Brazil.
Maria Isabel
Maria Isabel is a rice dish with dried meat. In Cuiabá and Mato-Grosso, it is sometimes served with banana farofa.
Other typical dishes from the Midwest Region
- Bolivian rice
- caribbean
- Curau
- Patty Goiano
- banana crumb
- Chicken Soup
- Painted Mojica
- fool
Crafts from the Midwest Region
The crafts in the Midwest are rich and strongly influenced by indigenous culture. See some examples.
Ceramics
Ceramics designates the art of making objects from baked clay and also the manufactured objects themselves.
wood carving
A carving is a work done through sculpture.
Other types of crafts from the Midwest Region
- feather art
- Silver Crafts
- Crafts with precious stones
- embroidered nets
- Tapestry
Folk myths and legends of the Midwest Region
Discover the main myths and legends of the Midwest Region of Brazil.
bottle foot
The Pé-de-bottle is represented by a being that lives in the forest. Its body is covered with hair and has a leg that, in place of the foot, is shaped like a bottle.
It is said that only those who are able to reach his navel, where his weakness is, can escape from Bottlefoot.
little pomegranate
Romãozinho is represented by a very naughty boy, who mistreats animals and plants and scares people.
Legend has it that Romãozinho's father killed his wife because of a lie his son told. Instead of feeling bad about the situation, the boy was amused.
Other myths and legends from the Midwest Region
- Tongue plucker
- House of 365 Windows
- creation of the world
- Werewolf
- golden mother
- Minhocão from Pari
- Water Nego
Landmarks of the Midwest Region
See which are the main touristic points of the Midwest.
Planalto Palace
The Planalto Palace is located in Brasília, in the Federal District, and is the seat of the Presidency of the Republic of Brazil.
Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park
Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park is located in Goiás. In 2001, it became part of the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Chapada dos Guimaraes
Chapada dos Guimarães is the main tourist attraction in the state of Mato Grosso. The place attracts not only tourists from Brazil, but also foreigners who are dazzled by the beautiful natural landscape of the place.
Blue Lake Cave
The Lago Azul Cave is located in the city of Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul. In 1978, it was considered a natural monument by IPHAN (Institute of National Historical and Artistic Heritage).
Religion of the Midwest Region
Check out the existing religions in the Midwest, according to the 2010 IBGE Demographic Census.
- Catholicism
- spiritism
- Protestantism
- Umbanda
- Candomblé
- Evangelical religion
- oriental religions
It is also noteworthy that, according to the 2010 IBGE census, 8.0% of the population does not have a religion.
Curiosities about the Midwest Region
- The capital of Brazil, Brasília, is in the Midwest.
- Brasília is considered by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
- The Midwest is the second largest region in Brazil.
- The largest number of inhabitants of the Midwest region is in Brasília.
- It is the region that produces the most cereals and grains.
- Agribusiness is the main economic activity in the region.
Also read about the culture of other Brazilian regions:
- Cultural diversity in Brazil
- Southeast culture: discover its traditions
- Northern Culture: know its wealth
- Northeast Culture: everything you need to know
- Southern Culture: parties, dances and much more
folklore quiz
Don't stop here! Toda Matéria selected a series of very rich texts to help you expand your knowledge:
- Brazilian folklore: legends, games, songs, dances and parties
- Brazilian Folklore Legends
- Source of popular expressions you need to know
