You have probably heard of Rua 25 de Março in the city of São Paulo. It is known for selling electronic items, fabrics and clothing accessories, but it is also a tourist spot in the city of São Paulo.
The road received its name in the 19th century, in honor of the date that Emperor Dom Pedro I granted the first Constitution of Brazil, on March 25 1824. However, it was only in 1865 that the street’s name was, in fact, made official.
The Tamanduateí River that ran alongside the road, below the São Bento Monastery, had seven loops along its course. At the end of the seventh loop was Porto Geral, where imported products coming from the port of Santos were unloaded. The name was given to the well-known Ladeira Porto Geral, one of the intersecting streets of 25 de Março.
In January 1850, local residents faced a historic flood, which destroyed dozens of houses. At the end of the 19th century, the Tamanduateí River was drained and the region was renamed Rua de Baixo, currently known as Baixo de São Bento. It was in November 1865 that the street name was changed to 25 de Março.¹
Picture 1 – of the website Ladeira Porto Geral “A Porto Geral é História”
Arab migration intensified in Brazil at the beginning of the 20th century, mainly for religious reasons, due to the persecution of Christian communities, in addition to economic and social impacts linked to the agrarian structure, due to the political instability of the Ottoman Empire.
When the Arabs arrived in Brazil, there were already Portuguese and Italian peddlers² (street vendors). However, street trading became a custom of Arab migration. This is because they introduced innovations that, today, are seen as typical features of popular trading, such as: the inclusion of large quantities of goods with high turnover, in addition to promotions and liquidation of products.
Picture 2 – of the website Ladeira Porto Geral “A Porto Geral é História”
With the great floods of the Tamanduateí River, many traders sold their goods at a much lower price to avoid large losses. This practice was significant for the Rua 25 de Março region to be known as a commercial hub with high turnover, low cost and good quality.
Historical records indicate that the first physical store opened was Nami Jafet & Irmãos, in 1893, which at that time had only six stores: five clothing accessories stores and a grocery store. Eight years later, in 1901, there were more than 500 small shops. Thus, two traditions were born: Lebanese immigrants settling on Rua 25 de Março and providing goods for their compatriots who had recently arrived in São Paulo to peddle in distant neighborhoods of the capital. Because of this, commerce on Rua 25 de Março quickly prospered.
The first products imported on Rua 25 de Março were Japanese and Chinese porcelain, German cutlery, Swiss and French lace, English cashmere and other varieties. The Syrian-Lebanese were, at the time, the majority of traders in the region.³
According to the website of the Chamber of Deputies, more than 58,000 Arab immigrants had entered Brazil until 1920, 40% of which settled in São Paulo. Thus, since 2008, the National Day of the Arab Community has been celebrated. The choice of date is due to Arabs initially settling in São Paulo, with commercial activities concentrated on Rua 25 de Março and its surroundings.
Compassiva was founded in 2014, seeking to respond to the most basic and urgent needs of refugees and asylum seekers from the war in Syria. The war started on March 15th 2011, after the Arab Spring: popular protests in the Middle East and North Africa.
Unfortunately, other wars have occured over the 8 years of Compassiva’s existence: Afghanistan with the retaking of the Taliban on August 15th 2021, the war in Ukraine with Russian attacks since February 24th 2022 and in Venezuela. Although Venezuela is not experiencing an armed conflict, their situation is serious and in widespread violation of human rights, causing more than 50,000 Venezuelans to migrate to Brazil since 2018.
Picture 3 – Google Imagens
Despite the difficult news in Brazil and in the world, we hope this day can be a day of gratitude to the Arab community. We appreciate your cultural, economic and social contribution. When a country provides reception and integration conditions for migrants and refugees – everyone wins!
REFERENCES
¹ São Paulo conta a história da rua 25 de Março. Prefeitura da cidade de São Paulo, 2014. Disponível em: <https://www.prefeitura.sp.gov.br/cidade/secretarias/subprefeituras/se/noticias/?p=46995>.
² Origem Etimológica. Mascate, nome de uma cidade árabe.
³ Ladeira Porto Geral. Disponível em: <http://ladeiraportogeral.com/porto-geral-historia/>.
* Câmara aprova 25 de março como dia da comunidade árabe. Agência Câmara de Notícias, 2008. Disponível em: <https://www.camara.leg.br/noticias/118966-camara-aprova-25-de-marco-como-dia-da-comunidade-arabe/>.
