Culture of Paraguay

Theculture of Paraguayreflects the Spanish and indigenous influences of the country.Paraguay's cultural heritage can be traced to the extensiveintermarriagebetween the original male Spanish settlers and indigenousGuaraníwomen. Their culture is highly influenced by various European countries, including Spain. Therefore, Paraguayan culture is a fusion of two cultures and traditions; one European, the other, Southern Guaraní. More than 93% of Paraguayans aremestizos, making Paraguay one of the most homogeneous countries in Latin America. A characteristic of this cultural fusion is the extensive bilingualism present to this day: more than 80% of Paraguayans speak bothSpanishand the indigenous language,Guaraní.Jopara, a mixture of Guaraní and Spanish, is also widely spoken.
This cultural fusion is expressed in arts such as embroidery (ao po'í) andlace making(ñandutí). Themusic of Paraguay, which consists of lilting polkas, bouncygalopas,and languidguaraniasis played on the native harp. Paraguay's culinary heritage is also deeply influenced by this cultural fusion. Several popular dishes containmanioc, a local staple crop similar to theyucaalso known as Cassava root found in theSouthwestern United StatesandMexico, as well as other indigenous ingredients. A popular dish issopa paraguaya, similar to a thickcorn bread. Another notable food ischipa, abagel-like bread made fromcornmeal, manioc, and cheese. Many other dishes consist of different kinds of cheeses, onions, bell peppers, cottage cheese, cornmeal, milk, seasonings, butter, eggs and fresh corn kernels.
The 1950s and 1960s were the time of the birth of a new generation of Paraguayan novelists and poets such asJosé Ricardo Mazó,Roque Vallejos, and Nobel Prize nomineeAugusto Roa Bastos. SeveralParaguayan filmshave been made.
Inside the family, conservative values predominate. In lower classes,godparentshave a special relationship to the family, since usually, they are chosen because of their favorable social position, in order to provide extra security for the children. Particular respect is owed them, in return for which the family can expect protection and patronage.
Paraguay was in its maximum extension the oldParaguayan Province, a Jesuit administration belonging to theViceroyalty of Peruand whose clerical capital was the city ofCórdoba. During the 17th and 18th centuries, 30 reductions were built in this province, which are currently distributed in three countries: 8 inParaguay, 15 inArgentinaand 7 inBrazil. In 1609 the first reduction ofSan Ignacio Guazúwas created, and since then, the other towns were rising, subdivided into 23 Western Missions (in southern Paraguay and in the current provinces ofMisionesandCorrientes) and the 7Eastern Missionsin southwest Brazil. The Jesuits were expelled in 1768, reason why the towns entered decay and their settlers were in need of migrating to other areas of Paraguay, Misiones and Corrientes. In these places there are still vestiges of its architectural and urban structure.
Since the Spanish-Guaraní syncretism, the Guaraní Jesuit missions laid the foundations for the Guaraní alphabet and literature,Paraguayan cuisine,Paraguayan musicand other arts. In terms of literary creation, musical composition, regional gastronomy and the entire amalgam of Paraguayan artistic expressions, the arts learned in the missions continued to evolve along with contributions from other immigrants from the late 19th century and throughout the 20th century. Among the cultural reminiscences transmitted by Jesuits-Guaraníes, both tangible and intangible, are theParaguayan harp,Paraguayan polka, consumption ofyerba mate, starch and corn-based foods such aschipaandChipa Guasu, the Guaraní language that achieved its status as a regulated language and which is one of the official languages of Paraguay thanks to it.
Two of the eight Paraguayan reductions were declaredUNESCO World Heritage Sites. Both towns are inItapúa Department, in the ruins ofJesúsandTrinidad, located about 50 km from the departmental capitalEncarnación. The Jesús de Tavarangüé Mission complements the tourist circuit with the projection of a 3D video mapping. The intention is that visitors can connect directly with the history of the creation and development of the 30 towns founded by theSociety of Jesus. The 3D mapping recreates the activities and the evangelizing work of Jesuit people and the large history of these missions.
French philosophical theories became popular with Latin American intellectuals as theSpanish Empirewas coming to an end.Arturo Ardaomentions thatCondillacwas held in high regard by the people of Paraguay.
After becoming independent, the new republics founded universities and hired teachers from Europe who spreadrationalistideals.
Among Paraguayan scholars of the early 19th century were the physiciansPedro Cañete[es]andManuel Talavera[es].
Sport in Paraguay is an important part of the country's national culture.Footballis the most popular sport, andbasketballis also very popular.Other sports such asvolleyball,futsal,swimmingandtennisare also popular.Additional Paraguayan sports and pastimes includerugby union,chess,motorsport,golfandrowing.