Asian Provocateur Season 2 Episode 6 6. The Da Silva's
- November 16, 2016
- 28 min
-
8.0 (12)
In episode 6 of Asian Provocateur season 2, titled "The Da Silva's," comedian and travel enthusiast Romesh Ranganathan heads to Brazil to explore his Portuguese roots. Romesh's mission is to take part in Rio Carnival, but before that, he wants to learn more about Brazil's unique cultural traditions and to trace his family's ancestry.
Romesh's first stop is the city of Salvador, where he learns about Brazil's history as a former Portuguese colony. He visits a local market to sample Bahia's famous seafood stew, acarajé, and meets a group of drummers who explain the importance of the traditional Brazilian rhythms that are still central to the country's music.
From Salvador, Romesh heads to the Amazon rainforest to meet the Da Silva family. Romesh's great-great-grandfather was a slave in Brazil, and the Da Silvas are also descendants of slaves brought to Brazil by the Portuguese. Romesh is keen to learn more about his ancestors' lives, and the Da Silvas are happy to share their family history with him.
During his stay with the Da Silvas, Romesh tries his hand at fishing and learns about the traditional foods that are eaten in the Amazon region. He also takes part in a religious ceremony called Santo Daime, which involves drinking a hallucinogenic tea made from the ayahuasca plant. The Da Silva family members explain that the ceremony is an important part of their spiritual practice, and Romesh is fascinated by their belief in the power of plants.
As Rio Carnival draws closer, Romesh heads back to the city to prepare for the parade. He meets with a samba school to learn some dance moves and gets a costume made to wear during the parade. He also visits a favela, or shantytown, to learn about the challenges that people living in poverty face in Brazil.
Finally, Romesh takes part in the Rio Carnival parade, dancing alongside his samba school and soaking up the vibrant atmosphere. The episode concludes with Romesh reflecting on his journey to Brazil and the connections he has made with his family's past and with the people he has met along the way.
Overall, episode 6 of Asian Provocateur season 2 offers a fascinating glimpse into Brazil's diverse culture and history. Romesh's journey to reconnect with his roots is both entertaining and enlightening, and viewers will enjoy learning about the different customs and traditions that make Brazil such a vibrant and unique country.