Every year members of the Fraternity of American Descendants in Santa Barbara d'Oeste, Brazil, throw a "Confederate Party," a party to celebrate their ancestors and their migration to Brazil after the U.S. Civil War.
Every year members of the Fraternity of American Descendants in Santa Barbara d'Oeste, Brazil, throw a "Confederate Party," a party to celebrate their ancestors and their migration to Brazil after the U.S. Civil War.
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The fraternity, whose slogan is "To live and die in Dixie," takes over the Campo Cemetery in the otherwise sleepy town and transforms it into a stage for traditional Southern dance, music and food. The cemetery is the final resting place for many of the original American immigrants and their descendants.
The fraternity, whose slogan is "To live and die in Dixie," takes over the Campo Cemetery in the otherwise sleepy town and transforms it into a stage for traditional Southern dance, music and food. The cemetery is the final resting place for many of the original American immigrants and their descendants.
Andre Penner/AP
Descendants of Confederate soldiers who immigrated to Brazil after the war dress up in Confederate Army uniforms and the women dress as "Southern belles." There is plenty of square- dancing and country music playing, all done against the backdrop of the Confederate flag.
Descendants of Confederate soldiers who immigrated to Brazil after the war dress up in Confederate Army uniforms and the women dress as "Southern belles." There is plenty of square- dancing and country music playing, all done against the backdrop of the Confederate flag.
Paulo Whitaker/Reuters/Landov
The party in April marked the 150th anniversary of the end of the American Civil War. Here, participants put the final touches on their costumes before the party.
The party in April marked the 150th anniversary of the end of the American Civil War. Here, participants put the final touches on their costumes before the party.
Paulo Whitaker/Retuers/Landov
The city of Santa Barbara d'Oeste and its neighbor, Americana, 80 miles northwest of Sao Paulo, saw a great influx of American settlers after the U.S. Civil War ended in 1865. The local museum estimates between 1866 and 1890, anywhere from 3,000 to 10,000 Americans migrated to Brazil under a movement spurred by Confederate Col. William Hutchinson Norris.
The city of Santa Barbara d'Oeste and its neighbor, Americana, 80 miles northwest of Sao Paulo, saw a great influx of American settlers after the U.S. Civil War ended in 1865. The local museum estimates between 1866 and 1890, anywhere from 3,000 to 10,000 Americans migrated to Brazil under a movement spurred by Confederate Col. William Hutchinson Norris.
Andre Penner/AP
Children wearing Confederate-era-styled dresses and uniforms dance during the party.
Children wearing Confederate-era-styled dresses and uniforms dance during the party.
Paulo Whitaker/Retuers/Landov
Members of the fraternity feel the yearly celebration works to protect and maintain their cultural heritage. "Traditional fried chicken" and "traditional Southern biscuits" are advertised for sale during the party.
Members of the fraternity feel the yearly celebration works to protect and maintain their cultural heritage. "Traditional fried chicken" and "traditional Southern biscuits" are advertised for sale during the party.
Andre Penner/AP