1. Who are Bidu and Monica?
Cartoon characters by Mauricio de Souza, Brazil's best known cartoonist. Monica is small, mean and strong. Bidu is a cute, somewhat neurotic blue dog.
2. Who is the little guy in the movie Macunaima?
That is Grande Otelo, a famous black actor. He plays the black, ugly version of Macunaima. Grande Otelo died a few years ago during a trip to Paris, I believe, after about 250 years in the movies.
3. What is a pororoca?
A reverse river tidal wave, a rare phenonema of the Amazon.
4. The name of the actress in the original version of the popular soap Selva de Pedra (the Stone Jungle)?
That would be Regina Duarte, who played Simone.
5. What are pitu, ypioca and 51?
Well known brands of pinga (cachaca)
6. Who said: If it is for the general welfare and the happiness of the nation, tell the people I will stay. "Se e para o bem geral de todos, e a felicidade da nacao, diga ao povo que fico"
Dom Pedro I was supposed to have said that when ordered back to Portugal, thus triggering Brazilian independence. It is known as the "fico" (I stay) speech. Of course all the wild women in Rio had NOTHING to do with his decision.
7. At what event did the audience sit quietly for over an hour after it ended? When and where?
Maracana stadium, Rio de Janeiro, 1950, after Brazil loses final World Cup game to Uruguay. This was probably the strangest event ever in world sports history. For two hours 170,000 people sat in silence, without leaving, after game ended. Why?
8. Who told us what the women of the state of Bahia have?
Carmen Miranda, of couse, in her most famous song "O que e' que a baiana tem?"
9. What was Canudos?
A small village in the northeast state of Bahia, where a certain religious figure held out for serveral months agains 5 expeditions sent by the local and federal goverment to subdue it. Between 20 to 30,000 people died. David Koresh, move over.
10. What was the name of the popular mystic priest in the Northeast, whose statue overlooks Juazeiro do Norte.
That was another one. Padre Cicero, a small franciscan priest that is fondly remembered by all nordestinos.
11. What is "The Faithful" (A Fiel)?
The fans of Corthitians Paulista Soccer club in Sao Paulo are known as "A fiel" (The faithful)
12. What president commited suicide?
Getulio Vargas wrote his famous "political will" in 1954 and then took a revolver and bye bye
13. Who are Vava, Didi and Zito?
Famous soccer players of 1958 Word Cup in Sweden. Their names are engraved in front of Maracana entrance.
14. If Rio is the city of a thousand enchantments, Sao Paulo is the city of ......?
light, drizzy rain! Sao Paulo da garoa.
15. What two women put the resort city of Buzios on the map.
Brigit Bardot, but visiting there in the 70s and Angela Deniz, a well known socialite, by being murdered there by her husband, who was acquited on grounds of "defense of honor" OJ, move over.
16. What popular singer is known as Marron (brown)?
Alcione, of course.
17. Who is Saci Perere?
a mythological figure from northern folklore. He is small. black, has only one leg, wears a red cap and smokes a pipe. He is always causing trouble.
18. What was the name of the rhino elected to the city counsel in Sao Paulo?
That was Cacareco, from the Sao Paulo zoo. It happened in the 50s, I believe. They did not let him take office. In Rio a monkey named Tiao did well in the elections, but didn't get enough votes to win a seat. Pobrezinho do macaquinho.
19. Who is Senor Abravanel?
Silvio Santos. From street vendor to TV host and now one of Brazil's richest men.
20. Who said: to govern is to build roads.
Washigton Luis (or was it Dutra??)
21. Name three of the five major performers from the 60s TV show "Jovem Guarda"
They were Roberto Carlos, Erasmo Carlos, Vanderleia, Jerry Adriani and I forget the rest..
22. Who wrote: "The Northeasterner is, first of all, a strong man!" (O nordestino e, antes de tudo, um forte)?
Euclydes da Cunha, in his famous book "Os Sertoes" (The Badlands).
23. The name of the late author of many 8 PM soap operas, married to Dias Gomes?
Janete Clair
24. What do MPB and MDB mean?
Musica Popular Brasileira and Movimento Democratico Brasileiro. A musical sound and a political party.
25. The name of the person referred to as the Knight of Hope (Cavalheiro da Esperanca), also known for a long march?
That was Luis Carlos Prestes, Brail's best known communist.
Bonus Question: What do Jefferson Davis and Leonel Brizola have in common?
Both are said to have used women's clothes in their escapes....