Italian migration in Bahia, Brazil

This research project on the Italian migration in Bahia examined the migration patterns over the last 70 years. It focused on three different periods (1950-1970, 1970-2000 and 2000-2010) that follow completely different motivations, caracteristics and even different ways of transportation. The research also focused also on Italian indigents in Bahia, a phenomenon that is not well-known but has been very painful for the migrants, as it added to the challenges of adaptation to different climatic, social and cultural realities.

Many migrants faced important challenges: some had difficulties to cope with the different reality of the “new world” and never really adapted themselves to the new reality in Brazil. Italian migrants faced the same kind of difficulties that are today experienced by migrants from third world countries. They felt forgotten by their home country, Italy, and were often badly considered by other Italians as they did not have the financial means to survive in ther own countries and emigration was the only option.

Today, we see the results of the integration of Italian migrants in Brazil, where many have achieved great sucess in politics, business and tourism. For instance, an Italian, Lo Manto, became governor of the state of Bahia, many of the hotels and restaurants on the Bahia coast belong to Italians. In the interior of the state, as in Jabaquara and Itirucu, the agriculture of the land was transformed by the Italians influence, who brought tomatoes, lettuce and many more Mediterranean products to Bahia. An important Italian influence can also be seen in the cultural field, with the main sculptures in Salvador made by the famous Italian sculptor De Chirico, and even the post office building in Bahia designed by an Italian architect.

Author of the research:
Massimo Buonomo, Organization “Amigos do Protocolo de Kyoto”
Email: masbuo@yahoo.com
Phone: 0055 71 9269 8225