christ the redeemer looms majestically over Rio de Janeiro, symbolizing and testifying to the deep rooted connection between cariocas and the Christian faith.

Brazil is a very religious country, and because of the immense diversity of its population, its religiosity is often syncretic - a sort of fusion of influences from Catholicism, Protestantism, paganism, European Spiritism, indigenous beliefs and African religions and ritual.

The two most foundational influences on Brazilians' faith and practices are European Christianity, and the sacraments and customs that migrated to the country along with the great swathes of African slaves.