Réveillon - Brazilian

I am Réveillon, the special celebration for New Year’s Eve in Brazil. People observe me every year on the night of December 31st. My main purpose is to help everyone say goodbye to the old year and get ready to welcome the new one. Families and friends gather together, filled with joy and hope for the days to come. My name, Réveillon, comes from a French word that means “awakening.” This is a perfect name for me, because my celebration is all about a fresh start and the awakening of a brand new year.

One of my most famous and beautiful traditions is the clothing people wear. To celebrate me, many people dress in all white from head to toe. They believe that wearing white will help bring peace into their lives for the entire new year. This custom became very popular all across Brazil during the 1970s. The idea was inspired by practices from Afro-Brazilian religions, which have many important traditions that are part of my celebration. When crowds gather on the beaches at night, the sight is amazing. It looks like a giant, beautiful sea of people all dressed in white, waiting for the new year to begin.

My celebrations are especially magical in cities along the coast of Brazil, right next to the ocean. Here, many people take time to show their respect for a very important figure from Afro-Brazilian beliefs. Her name is Iemanjá, and she is known as the Queen of the Sea. As midnight gets closer and the new year is about to start, people gather near the water. They toss handfuls of white flowers into the waves as a special gift for her. Some people also prepare tiny, decorated boats. They fill these little boats with other presents, like perfume or small mirrors, and send them floating out into the ocean. By giving these gifts, they hope that Iemanjá will grant them blessings and protect them in the year ahead.

Another one of my exciting traditions also happens right at the ocean's edge, just as the clock strikes midnight. To welcome the new year with good luck, many people run to the water to jump over seven waves in a row. It is a fun and hopeful challenge. With each wave that they successfully jump, they make a special wish for the new year. This custom is also connected to honoring Iemanjá, the Queen of the Sea. People believe that the energy of the ocean and the act of jumping the waves will bring them good fortune and a positive start to the year. Today, people in Brazil continue to observe me with these joyful and hopeful traditions, looking forward to the future with happiness.