Culture of South America
A blend of indigenous, European, African, and global influences.
The culture of South America draws on diverse cultural traditions, including native cultures that inhabited the continent prior to European arrival, European cultures brought mainly by the Spanish, Portuguese, and French, African cultures derived from a long history of New World slavery, and influences from the United States, particularly via mass culture such as cinema and TV. This blend shapes the continent's religions, languages, music, art, and cuisine.
- Region
- South America
- Primary Languages
- Portuguese and Spanish
- Dominant Religion
- Roman Catholicism
- Notable Music Genres
- samba, tango, cumbia
- Cuisine Influences
- European, American Indian, African
Lore & Background
Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion, with over 80%–70% in Hispanic countries and some 65% in Brazil. French Guiana also has a large number of Protestants. Guyana and Suriname are exceptions, with three major religions: Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam. In lowland South America and the Andes, animism and shamanism are common, as noted among the Urarina of Peruvian Amazonia. Portuguese and Spanish are the primary languages. The majority of South Americans speak Portuguese, though most countries are Spanish-speaking, and nearly all lusophones reside in Brazil. Other languages include Aymara, Quechua, Urarina, Wayuu, Guaraní, English, Hakka, Hindi, Dutch, Indonesian, French, Italian, German, Welsh, and Japanese. South American nations have a rich variety of music, including samba from Brazil, tango from Argentina and Uruguay, and cumbia from Colombia. Visual art, beyond indigenous traditions, owed much to Spanish, Portuguese, and French Baroque painting, which often followed Italian Masters. This Eurocentrism began to fade in the early twentieth century as South Americans acknowledged their unique condition.
Reader's Guide
The culture of South America is significant for its synthesis of multiple continents and histories, creating a distinct regional identity. Its religious landscape is predominantly Roman Catholic, but with notable exceptions in Guyana and Suriname, where Hinduism and Islam are major, and in indigenous areas where animism and shamanism persist. Linguistically, Portuguese and Spanish dominate, but dozens of indigenous and immigrant languages survive, reflecting deep cultural layers. Music genres like samba, tango, and cumbia have become global symbols. Art evolved from European Baroque to a self-aware, unique expression in the twentieth century. Cuisine similarly blends European, American Indian, and African influences, with regional specialties like Bahia's West African-influenced dishes and Peru's multi-ethnic fusion. This cultural legacy continues to shape South America's identity and its contributions to world culture.
Did You Know?
- Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion, with over 80%–70% in Hispanic countries and some 65% in Brazil.
- Guyana and Suriname have three major religions: Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam.
- Portuguese is spoken by more than 50% of South Americans, mostly in Brazil.
- Samba from Brazil, tango from Argentina and Uruguay, and cumbia from Colombia are famous music genres.
More in National Cultures And Ethnic Groups 1-24
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