Women in colonial society

[emuoy]

What was the role of women in colonial society and how did this roll give them a powerful position in the family?

[Curitiba]

In Brazil's colonial period, women would be looking after the huge farm houses with the slave female servants. They would also attend church, spreading catholicism beliefs not just within their own family and friends, but also to slaves who would often have a different religious belief. They would marry very young, anything between 12 and 17 years of age.

Being the fifth biggest country in the world and exporting sugar cane, cotton and coffee worldwide, Brazil had its doors open to immigrants from all over the world. Polish, Italians, Japanese, English, French, Danish, Ucranians, Russian, Jewells, Iranians, they all settled there and their decendents carry on their tradition up to this very day.

That cultural mixture broke many barries and tabboos, specially for women from well off families, who then start travelling abroad and developing their professional skills. Unfortunately Brazilian culture was too chovinist to be able to recognise women's knowledge and contribuition to society - some would argue it still is.

Behind a great man there is always a greater woman - I heard once.