Brazilians in the United Kingdom

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Brazilians in the United Kingdom
Taio Cruz in 2008.jpgEffy conor cropped.jpg
Charles Miller.jpgSeal2.jpg
Notable Britons of Brazilian origin:
Taio Cruz, Kaya Scodelario, Charles William Miller, Seal
Total population
Brazilian-born residents
15,215 (2001 Census)
60,000 (2009 ONS estimate)
Other population estimates
200,000 (untoldLondon 2006 estimate)
200,000 (QMUL 2007 estimate)
Regions with significant populations
London (in particular Bayswater, Brent, Harlesden, Kensal Green and Willesden Green) • Brighton • King's Lynn • Norfolk • Great Yarmouth • Manchester • Liverpool
Languages

English (British English) • Portuguese (Brazilian Portuguese)
Related ethnic groups

Brazilian diaspora • Latin American Britons • Portuguese Britons • Mediterranean • Greek Britons • Italian Britons • Brazilian Australian

Brazilians in the United Kingdom (Portuguese: Brasileiros no Reino Unido) including Brazilian-born immigrants to the UK and their British-born descendants form the single largest Latin American group in the country. The community has seen a rapid growth in size over recent years, with the number of people born in Brazil resident in the UK increasing by almost 700% between 1991 and 2009.[1]

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Early settlement

Brazilians came to the UK from the 1980s onwards to study, but once they arrived some discovered that the major cities (in particular London's) ethnic and cultural diversity offered more professional opportunities.[2] In part, this immigration of Brazilians to the UK is a consequence of the economic possibility of travel.[2]

[edit] Contemporary history

Shrine to Jean Charles de Menezes outside Stockwell Underground Station

The Brazilian community of the UK was brought into the global spotlight in 2005 as a result of the death of Jean Charles de Menezes.[3][4] Menezes was a Brazilian national living and working in Tulse Hill, south London who on the morning of 22 July 2005 was misidentified as Hamdi Adus Isaac - one of the fugitives involved in the previous day's failed bombing attempts.[5] This misidentification ultimately lead to a number of non-uniformed Metropolitan Police officers chasing Menezes into Stockwell tube station, the Brazilian electrician's actions (i.e. running from the police) lead to them believing this was an admission of guilt and he was subsequently chased onto a train and shot in the head seven times.[6] The "shoot to kill" policy had been put in place after the 7 July 2005 London bombings. The inquest that resulted was followed worldwide including by Menezes's family in Gonzaga, Minas Gerais who set up the "Justice4Jean" campaign.[7]

[edit] Demographics

Brazilian nationals gaining British citizenship between 1997 and 2008. Red indicates through residence, green through marriage and purple grants of citizenship to children, blue is the total of all three.

[edit] Population

The 1991 Census recorded 9,301 Brazilian born people in the UK,[8] and the 2001 Census recorded 15,215.[9] In 2004, the Brazilian Consulate in London had 13,000 Brazilians registered as living in the UK.[8] Office for National Statistics estimates suggest that there were 60,000 Brazilian-born people resident in the UK in 2009.[1] Several guesstimates of the current Brazilian population in the UK put the number at around 200,000.[10][11] The discrepancy between official and unofficial population estimates has also been observed in studies of Brazilians in the United States.[11] It has been suggested that the discrepancy is due to Brazilians overstaying their visas, or only seeing their stays as temporary, and therefore not participating in surveys or censuses.[11]

[edit] Spread and distribution

The majority of Brazilians in the UK reside in and around London. The 2001 Census showed that 8,000 people born in Brazil were residing in the capital, however in the same year other estimates suggested that were that between 15,000 and 50,000 Brazilians in London.[11] In 2005, the BBC stated that the number of Londoners of Brazilian origin was approximately 60,000.[12] Community groups estimated in 2007 that between 130,000 and 160,000 Brazilians were likely to be living in the London area.[11] Within London, some 30,000 Brazilians were thought to reside in the Borough of Brent. Stockwell, south London is also home to a sizeable Brazilian community that lives alongside the UK's single largest Portuguese community in 'Little Portugal'.[11] Bayswater in the City of Westminster has long been referred to as 'Brazilwater', indicating their heavy presence in the area.[11]

Besides the Brazilian community in London, there are numerous other locations in England with Brazilian populations. It is estimated that some 20,000 Brazilians reside in the Birmingham West Midland Conurbation,[13] whilst some 15,000 Brazilians are thought to live in the county of Norfolk in East Anglia (most of these in King's Lynn and Norwich).[13] The coastal town of Brighton was home to an estimated 10,000 Brazilians in 2005.[13] 10,000 individuals of Brazilian origin also live in the Greater Manchester/Liverpool Urban Area.[13]

[edit] Religion

Brazil is the world's largest Catholic nation,[14] 68% adhere to the faith whilst 19% of Brazilians follow Protestantism.[15] The largest Brazilian church, the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God has temples in London and Birmingham.[14] This church has been embroiled in scandals and accusations for over a decade, also in 2000 a Brazilian Christian evangelical sect bought London radio station Liberty Radio (previously owned by Mohamed Al-Fayed).[16] This purchase was surrounded by controversy largely due to the stations large established audience which could be influenced by the alleged corrupt church which tells its followers that "diseases are caused by demons and prayer can rid them of debt".[16] There are some 30 Brazilian evangelical churches in London.[17] There is a Brazilian Chaplaincy in East London, set up by the Catholic Church and run by Brazilian priests, who conduct mass in Portuguese to hundreds of Brazilians at weekends.[11]

[edit] Culture and community

[edit] Business and economics

According to analysis by the Institute for Public Policy Research based on Labour Force Survey data for 2000 to 2004, 57.4 per cent of Brazilian-born immigrants arriving in the UK in 1990 or after were employed (as opposed to studying, unemployed or inactive), with 80.7 per cent arriving before 1990 employed.[18] Despite being relatively well educated, the majority of Brazilian immigrants to the UK have taken up professions that differ greatly from their previous careers in Brazil.[19] The majority of Brazilian-born migrants to the UK choose jobs that are for the most part unskilled and low-paid; the reasons behind this include restrictions imposed by their immigration status and lack or limited knowledge of the English language.[19] This has also been witnessed in the Brazilian diaspora in United States.[19] A study conducted by Queen Mary, University of London revealed the most common jobs taken up by Brazilian immigrants in London.[19] 32 per cent of individuals surveyed were involved in the cleaning industry, 26 per cent in hotel work and catering, 13 per cent in other 'services'. 10 per cent worked as couriers, 9 per cent in the construction industry, 3 per cent as au pairs or baby sitters. 6 per cent of those surveyed choose not to answer, whilst 1 per cent told of unemployment.[19] Work and employment is an extremely important aspect for Brazilians in the UK, especially first-generation immigrants – many of whom came to the UK for the sole reason of seeking employment. In the same study, 25 per cent of respondents said they came to the UK to work and/or study, whilst 24.3 per cent claimed to have come for work and to save money either to be able to permanently settle in the UK or to send to family back in Brazil.[19] A large number of Brazilian-owned businesses have sprung up in the UK over recent decades. They include personal care, counselling, solicitors and lawyers that provide services in Portuguese, baby sitting, private cleaning, removals and transportation, travel agencies, private functions, money transfer, accommodation, as well as shops selling Brazilian clothing, food and drink, alongside numerous cafes and restaurants.[19]

'Made in Brasil', a Brazilian bar in Camden Town

[edit] Media

The Brazilian television channel Rede Record can be found on Sky channel 801, and Record Radio can be found on 0206. There are also many newspapers throughout the UK, which cater specifically for the Brazilian British community.[20] br@sil.net is a physical and online magazine that concerns topics from Brazil as well as covering information about the Brazilian British community.[21] Brazilian News is another UK-based weekly newspaper covering Brazilian and UK affairs.[22] Jungle Drums is a monthly magazine with content in Portuguese and English which is aimed primarily at the younger generations of the Brazilian British community.[20] There are articles on Brazilian popular culture, society and politics, plus comparisons between life in the UK and Brazil.[23] Leros and Revista Real are the names of two other monthly magazines read by the Brazilian British population, whilst Oi Londres is aimed specifically for Brazilians in the capital who are seeking information on immigration, employment opportunities and general news pieces.Classilisttel monthly classified magazine/paper provides Brazilians in London with classifieds of rooms,houses,cars,motorcycles,jobs,general adds,etc and other unique information.Also[20] An investigation conducted by the International Organization for Migration in 2005 found that in terms of newspaper readership, 67% of Brazilian British respondents stated that they prefer to read UK newspapers. Magazine readership differed completely, where 51% of respondents said they favoured Brazilian publications in the UK over general UK publications and even Brazilian publications from Brazil.[24]

[edit] Music and dance

A Brazilian festival in March 2009, Golborne Road, Notting Hill

The vibrant emerging Brazilian community in the capital has in a short time been influential in shaping the face of London and its residents.[12] The culture and music of Brazil has had a significant impact in the UK, most evidently as previously stated in London.[12] Numerous bars, clubs and other late nite venues are across the city, 'Guanabara' in Covent Garden is London's largest Brazilian late night venue and bar.[25] Many Brazilian acts perform in the Carnaval del Pueblo which is Europe's largest celebration of Latin American culture, held in Burgess Park, London.[26][27] There is also an annual festival celebrating Brazilian culture in the Golborne Road area that was most recently held in 2009.[28] Brazilians have also participated in the Notting Hill Carnival[29] and the Sadler's Wells Brazilian Carnival.[30] A major three month event called 'Festival Brazil' is planned to take place between June and September 2010.[31] Despite this, the single largest celebration of Brazilian culture in the UK is, in fact, held in Liverpool, Brazilica Festival has been held annually since 2008 when the city was European Capital of Culture and regularly attracts over 50,000 people.[31] Samba, the world renowned Brazilian dancing style alongside the other Latin American dances, Tango and Salsa have spread in popularity across the world. Some dance schools which teach the art form include 'Paraiso School of Samba',[32] and the 'London School of Samba'.[33] Besides the presence of traditional Brazilian music in the UK, numerous British-born Brazilians have made a significant impact on the British music scene. Soul and R&B singer-songwriter Seal of Afro-Brazilian/Nigerian parentage has released six studios albums (four of which have been certified platinum) and also achieved a Billboard Hot 100 and two Grammy Awards with his single "Kiss from a Rose".[34] More recently, R&B/hip hop singer Taio Cruz has achieved worldwide fame with his single "Break Your Heart" reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart as well as the Billboard Hot 100. Cruz, like Seal was also born in London to mixed Brazilian/Nigerian parentage.[35] Aggro Santos is an emmerging Brazilian British rapper who reached #5 on the UK Singles Chart in 2010 with "Candy".[36]

[edit] Sport

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Kensington which was established by Roger Gracie

The Brazilian community in the UK has established many sporting groups including a number of Football, Futsal and Footvolley teams (the latter two of which are sports that originate in Brazil). This alongside schools for the Brazilian sports of Jiu-Jitsu and Capoeira. There are even some Brazilian-organized teams playing in official English leagues including the Brazilian Football Club of London.[37] Helvecia,[38] Lusitânia[39] and Kickers are also amongst some of the teams established by the Brazilian British community who compete in the FA National Futsal League.[40] The Brazilian sport of Footvolley also now has a presence in the UK, and there is an England national team[41] that has competed in places such as Brighton and Margate as well as abroad in France, Spain and Portugal.[42] The annual open tournament is due to take place on 10 July 2010. Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian art form that combines elements of dance, sport and martial art. It is 'played' in a circular space called roda and is becoming increasingly popular outside Brazil, there are now several capoeira schools and centres in the UK.[43] Brazilian Sports Press is the name of a fortnightly newspaper covering Brazilian sporting news and events in the UK.[20] Amongst the most famous Brazilians in the UK are the numerous expatriate footballers that play in England's Premier League teams. Liverpool's first team includes three Brazilians, as of April 2010.[44] The same number of Brazilians are on the first team of Manchester United.[45] Two Brazilians are in Chelsea's squad,[46] whilst one Brazilian plays for Arsenal.[47]

[edit] Notable people

Main article: List of Brazilian British people

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b "Estimated population resident in the United Kingdom, by foreign country of birth (Table 1.3)". Office for National Statistics. September 2009. http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_population/Population-by-country-of-birth-and-nationality-Oct08-Sep09.zip. Retrieved 8 July 2010. 
  2. ^ a b Reasons for Brazilians visiting the UK and staying
  3. ^ "The Central and South American Community in London". Museum of London. http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/English/Collections/OnlineResources/RWWC/Themes/1272. Retrieved 4 April 2010. 
  4. ^ "Jean Charles de Menezes". London: The Guardian. 2008-01-24. http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/menezes. Retrieved 2010-04-04. 
  5. ^ "21 July bombs were 'just hoaxes'". BBC. 2007-03-01. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6409605.stm. Retrieved 2010-04-17. 
  6. ^ "Police 'thought Menezes had bomb'". BBC. 2008-09-22. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7629961.stm. Retrieved 2010-04-17. 
  7. ^ "The Jean Charles de Menezes Family Campaign". Justice4Jean. http://www.justice4jean.org/. Retrieved 2010-04-17. 
  8. ^ a b Burton, Guy (July 2004). "It's tough being Brazilian in the UK". Brazzil. http://www.brazzil.com/2004/html/articles/jul04/p134jul04.htm. Retrieved 2009-10-04. 
  9. ^ "Country-of-birth database". Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/18/23/34792376.xls. Retrieved 2009-10-04. 
  10. ^ Sofia Buchuck. "Crossing borders: Latin American exiles in London". untoldLondon. http://www.untoldlondon.org.uk/news/ART40460.html. Retrieved 2008-04-12. 
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h Evans, Yara; Wills, Jane; Datta, Kavita; Herbert, Joanna; McIlwaine, Cathy; May, Jon; Osvaldo de Araújo, José; França, Ana Carla and França, Ana Paula (September 2007). "Brazilians in London: A report for the Strangers into Citizens Campaign". Queen Mary, University of London. http://www.geog.qmul.ac.uk/globalcities/reports/docs/brazilians.pdf. Retrieved 5 April 2010. 
  12. ^ a b c "Brazilian London". BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2005/05/27/brazilian_london_feature.shtml. Retrieved 2010-04-05. 
  13. ^ a b c d "Brazil Mapping Exercise". International Organization for Migration. http://www.iomlondon.org/doc/mapping/IOM_BRAZIL.pdf. Retrieved 2010-04-06. 
  14. ^ a b Phillips, Tom (2007-03-02). "The rise of the mighty evangelicals filled with the spirit of capitalism". London: The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/mar/02/brazil.international. Retrieved 2010-04-05. 
  15. ^ "Religion in Brazil". IBGE. http://www.ibge.gov.br/home/estatistica/populacao/censo2000/populacao/religiao_Censo2000.pdf. Retrieved 2010-04-05. 
  16. ^ a b Bellos, Alex; Vasagar, Jeevan (2000-08-03). "Brazilian sect buys London radio station". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2000/aug/03/religion.world. Retrieved 2010-04-05. 
  17. ^ "Religious Dimensions of the Brazilian Diaspora". Watson Institute. http://www.watsoninstitute.org/events_detail.cfm?id=512. Retrieved 2010-04-05. 
  18. ^ "Born Abroad: How different immigrant groups perform". BBC News. 2005-09-07. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/uk/05/born_abroad/economics/html/overview.stm. Retrieved 4 April 2010. 
  19. ^ a b c d e f g "Brazilians at Work in London". Queen Mary, University of London. http://www.geog.qmul.ac.uk/globalcities/reports/docs/brazilians.pdf. Retrieved 2010-04-06. 
  20. ^ a b c d "Brazilian publications in the UK". Brazilian Embassy London. http://www.brazil.org.uk/press/publicationsinuk.html. Retrieved 2010-04-04. 
  21. ^ "Brasil.net Website". Brasilnet. http://www.brasilnet.co.uk/edicoes/index.php. Retrieved 2010-04-04. 
  22. ^ "Brazilian News Website". Brazilian News. http://www.braziliannews.uk.com/. Retrieved 2010-04-17. 
  23. ^ "Jungle DrumsWebsite". Jungle Drums. http://jungledrumsonline.com/. Retrieved 2010-04-17. 
  24. ^ "Brazilian Mapping Exercise". International Organization for Migration. http://www.iomlondon.org/doc/mapping/IOM_BRAZIL.pdf. Retrieved 2010-04-06. 
  25. ^ "Guanabara, About Us". Guanabara. http://www.guanabara.co.uk/about/. Retrieved 2010-04-05. 
  26. ^ "Carnaval del Pueblo". Carnaval del Pueblo. http://www.carnavaldelpueblo.co.uk/. Retrieved 2010-04-05. 
  27. ^ "Carnaval del Pueblo". Whatsonwhen?. http://www.whatsonwhen.com/sisp/index.htm?fx=event&event_id=165882. Retrieved 2010-04-05. 
  28. ^ "The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea". Golborne Road Festival. http://www.rbkc.gov.uk/events/default/vieweventdetail_internet.asp?id=11474. Retrieved 2010-04-17. 
  29. ^ Notting Hill Carnival "Notting Hill Carnival". Paginadeinicio.com. http://www.paginadeinicio.com.mx/videotube/index.php?search=Afro-Brazilian Notting Hill Carnival. Retrieved 2010-04-17. 
  30. ^ "Sadler's Well Brazilian Carnival". AllinLondon.co.uk. http://www.allinlondon.co.uk/whats-on.php?event=8187http://www.allinlondon.co.uk/whats-on.php?event=8187. Retrieved 2010-04-17. 
  31. ^ a b "Festival Brazil at Southbank Centre". Visitlondon.com. http://www.visitlondon.com/events/detail/7470591. Retrieved 2010-04-17. 
  32. ^ "Paraiso School of Samba". Paraiso School of Samba. http://www.paraisosamba.co.uk/. Retrieved 2010-04-17. 
  33. ^ "London School of Samba". London School of Samba. http://www.londonschoolofsamba.co.uk/public/default.asp. Retrieved 2010-04-17. 
  34. ^ "VH-1's Seal Biography". Futureloveparadise.co.uk. http://futureloveparadise.co.uk/anthology/biog/vh1.html. Retrieved 2010-04-17. 
  35. ^ "Taio cruz Bio". Taiocruz.co.uk/. http://www.taiocruz.co.uk/. Retrieved 2010-04-17. 
  36. ^ "About Aggro Santos". Aggrosantos.com/. http://www.aggrosantos.com/about#/about. Retrieved 2010-06-06. [dead link]
  37. ^ "Brazilian Football Club's official webpage". Brazilianfc.com. http://www.brazilianfc.com. Retrieved 2010-04-17. 
  38. ^ "Helvecia Futsal". Helvecia. http://www.helveciafutsal.com/in/. Retrieved 2010-04-17. 
  39. ^ "Lusitânia Futsal". Lusitânia. http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/lusitaniabrazilfc/. Retrieved 2010-04-17. 
  40. ^ "Kickers Futsal". Kickers. http://www.kickersfutsal.com/futsal/home.php. Retrieved 2010-04-17. 
  41. ^ "footvolley.co.uk Website". footvolley.co.uk. http://www.footvolley.co.uk/profiles/. Retrieved 2010-04-17. 
  42. ^ "footvolley.co.uk News and Events". footvolley.co.uk. http://www.footvolley.co.uk/newsevents/. Retrieved 2010-04-17. 
  43. ^ "Sports". Embassy of Brazil in London. http://www.brazil.org.uk/brazilintheuk/index.html. Retrieved 2010-04-06. 
  44. ^ "First team". Liverpool. http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/team/first-team. Retrieved 2010-04-05. 
  45. ^ "First team". Manchester United. http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={C04A2C83-66A3-4F51-9183-CE06BBABF071}. Retrieved 2010-04-05. 
  46. ^ "First team". Chelsea. http://www.chelseafc.com/page/PlayerHome/0,,10268,00.html. Retrieved 2010-04-05. 
  47. ^ "First team". Arsenal. http://www.arsenal.com/first-team/players. Retrieved 2010-04-05. 
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