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 2010 IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics) demographic census.
In the region, there is a cultural diversity richly influenced by indigenous, Bolivian and Paraguayan cultures.
Furthermore, the Central-West has been influenced by cultural aspects of numerous migrants, due to the borders it shares with all other parts of Brazil – Northeast, North, Southeast and South, a fact that does not occur in any other region.
Festivals in the Central-West Region
Discover the main popular festivals that are part of the culture of the Central-West Region of Brazil.
Horseback riding
The Cavalhada is the region’s best-known festival. It is a medieval battle reenactment held outdoors, where a group of knights dress in blue, representing the Christians, and a group of knights dress in red, representing the Moors.
The festival lasts three days and features the victory of the Christians over the Moors and their conversion to Christianity.
In Pirenópolis, the festival is a tourist attraction and brings thousands of people to the State of Goiás.
Bonfire
Fogaréu is another important festival typical of the Central-West region that also takes place in Goiás and is a tourist attraction. It is a procession in which the arrest of Jesus is reenacted and, as such, takes place during Holy Week.
Other festivals in the Central-West Region
In addition to Cavalhada and Fogaréu, the following festivals are also celebrated.
- Three Kings’ Day
- Divine Feast
- Feast of Saint Benedict
- Pilgrimages of the Divine Eternal Father
- Catalan Congada
- Our Lady of Navigators
Dances of the Central-West Region
Check out below a selection of the main dances present in cultural events in the Central-West Region.
Crab
Of a religious 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 appear to be performing indigenous games.
Cururu
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 migrants from São Paulo.
Also of a religious nature, it is especially present in the festivals of the Divine Holy Spirit.
Other typical dances from the Central-West Region
- Catira or Cateretê
- Sucker
- Cirandinha or Sarandi
- Xote
- Drum
Music from the Central-West Region
Discover the typical musical styles of the Central-West of Brazil.
- Country music , which is the main musical expression of the Midwest
- viola fashion
- Scratched
- Guarânia
- Punk
- Rock
Clothing from the Central-West Region
In general, the clothes worn in the Midwest are as urban as those worn in the rest of the country, that is, there is no specific typical costume.
However, due to the importance of sertanejo in the Central-West, some trends are more popular in this region than in others.
This is the case, for example, with the use of hats, boots, tight pants, leather jackets/vests, belts with large buckles, plaid shirts, among others.
Games from the Central-West Region
Discover the most traditional games in the Midwest.
- Coffin scale
- English chocolate
- Fruit, fruit, fruit
- Cordless phone
- Butter bar
- Hen, chick and fox
Cuisine of the Central-West Region
Since agriculture in the Central-West Region is rich in the cultivation of corn, rice and cassava, many of the typical dishes in its cuisine have these ingredients as their base.
Rice with pequ
Rice with pequi is a very popular dish in the region, especially in the culture of Goiás. Pequi is a fruit that is usually eaten plain, with chicken or with rice.
Cassava dumpling
Cassava dumplings are usually stuffed with ground meat, dried meat or cheese.
Rice cake
Rice cake is a very popular delicacy in Cuiabá, Mato Grosso. In addition to rice, other ingredients used in its preparation are: cassava, coconut, cinnamon, butter, sugar, salt and yeast.
Chipa
Chipa is a dish originally from Paraguay that became popular and typical of the Central-West region of Brazil.
Maria Isabel
Maria Isabel is a rice dish with sun-dried meat. In Cuiabá and Mato Grosso, it is sometimes served with banana farofa.
Other typical dishes from the Central-West Region
- Bolivian rice
- Caribbean
- Curau
- Goiano pie
- Plantain Farofa
- Chicken stew
- Painted Mojica
- Cornmeal
Crafts of the Central-West Region
The crafts of the Central-West are rich and strongly influenced by indigenous culture. See some examples.
Ceramics
Ceramics refers to the art of making objects from baked clay and also the objects themselves.
Wood carving
A carving is a work made by means of sculpture.
Other types of crafts from the Central-West Region
- Feather art
- Silver crafts
- Crafts with precious stones
- Embroidered nets
- Tapestry
Myths and folk legends of the Central-West Region
Discover the main myths and legends of the Central-West Region of Brazil.
Bottle foot
The Bottlefoot is represented by a being that lives in the forest. Its body is covered in fur and it has a leg that, instead of a foot, is shaped like a bottle.
It is said that only those who are able to reach its navel, where its weakness lies, can escape from the Bottlefoot.
Little Roman
Romãozinho is represented by a very rude 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 found it funny.
Other myths and legends of the Central-West Region
- Tongue Puller
- House of 365 Windows
- Creation of the World
- Werewolf
- Golden mother
- Pari’s Big Earthworm
- Water Negotiator
Tourist Attractions in the Central-West Region
See the main tourist attractions in 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
The Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park is located in Goiás. In 2001, it became part of the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Guimarães Plateau
Chapada dos Guimarães is the main tourist spot 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 Blue Lake Cave is located in the city of Bonito, in Mato Grosso do Sul. In 1978, it was considered a natural monument by IPHAN (National Institute of Historical and Artistic Heritage).
Religion of the Central-West Region
Check out the religions that exist in the Central-West, according to the IBGE Demographic Census of 2010.
- Catholicism
- Spiritism
- Protestantism
- Umbanda
- Candomblé
- Evangelical religion
- Eastern religions
It is also worth noting that, according to the 2010 IBGE census, 8.0% of the population has no religion.
Interesting facts about the Central-West Region
- The capital of Brazil, Brasília, is in the Center-West.
- Brasília is considered by UNESCO as a Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
- The Central-West is the second largest region in Brazil.
- The largest number of inhabitants in the Central-West region is in Brasília.
- It is the region that produces the most cereals and grains.
- Agribusiness is the main economic activity in the region.
