This topic of the possibilty of Assyrians in Brazil is very exciting for me. i am an Assyrian, born in New Zealand. But i probably know my language and history more than the people in iraq itself. I am proud of it. My partner is full Brazilian (her dad is portugese and her mother is Amazonian Brazilian). we have been together for 5 years now. We are going to Brazil in April 2011, (1 month away). I am going to do my best to locate and meet up with any remaining remanants of Assyrians still in existence in Brazil. My partner is from Sao Paulo, so We will be there for 1 month. I cant wait to go! and am absolutely fascinated to go in search of Assyrians. My partner loves my family and my culture she wants to learn Assyrian. she states that she noticed alot of middle easterners in Brazil (mostly lebanese) but she informed me they are all pretty much brazilian. they only speak portugese and dont follow their own faith.She says they had muslims who go to catholic church pray to Mary and have crosses etc. As for Assyrians, she says im the forst one she has ever meet. she thinks there maybe assyrians in Brazil but unlike australia and New Zealand, they would have melted into the populace taking on a Brazilian identity. My theory is : the more distinct and different the host communities ethnics go to, the more chances they will keep up their language and culture out of feeling excluded and foreign. In English speaking contries, Assyrianims is a total opposite in extreme polarity to Western ideals, hence kids maintain language more but sometimes at the expense of creating culture gangs (less education and less assimilation) as we find in Chicago and sydney. A place like brazil for example, the culture is farr moree similar to Assryian culture (family ties, religion, temprament, simpleness) making it easier for young Assyrians to assimilate and accept the host community as they dont feel excluded. So in a way we have to be more cautious when we arrive to similar cultured countries as we are more likely to relax and let our guards down in terms of ensuring our culture is passed down. Facts show that there are at least 1milion arabs in Brazil, but apparently in Brazil they are the rich and wealthy, having prospered in all fields. Unlike in sydney and london you never hear of middle east riots, suicid bombs, ganags and middle easterners general making bad press..maybe because in brazil our culture is more similar and easier to accept than say in anglo-saxon english speaking countires.what do people think? god bles ya all.
