After surgery, Gin has had plenty of time to sit, think, and dive into fascinating cultural topics. One that stands out? Brazil’s unusual racial classifications, known as pardas.
Since the 1940s, Brazilians have been able to describe their race in their own words on the national census. The result: more than 100 unique terms — some thoughtful, others downright hilarious. From Amarela (“yellow”) to Burro-cuando-poje (yes, that translates to “disappearing donkey”), these labels reveal the deep complexity of Brazilian identity, history, and diversity.
In this video, Gin shares a few favorites from these classifications and invites readers to help decode them. If you’re Brazilian — or simply fascinated by cultural identity — this is a journey into language you won’t want to miss.
What Are Pardas?
In Brazil, “Parda” is one of the official racial categories used in the census. It generally refers to people of mixed African, Indigenous, and European descent. But unlike rigid racial labels used in other countries, the Brazilian census has historically allowed people to describe themselves in their own words.
This freedom has led to hundreds of self-identifiers, from poetic to puzzling, reflecting both personal identity and cultural imagination.
The 1970s Survey That Captured It All
In the 1970s, a government survey documented these self-identifications in detail. Instead of sticking to a handful of categories, people used hyper-specific — and sometimes humorous — terms to describe their skin tone and identity.
This catalog of terms became an extraordinary record of how Brazilians see themselves, shaped by centuries of colonization, migration, and cultural blending.
Gin’s Favorite Parda Descriptions
Some of the terms sound lyrical, others surprising, and a few completely absurd. Here are a couple that stood out to Gin:
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Amarela (“yellow”) — A serious descriptor, often used for people of Asian descent.
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Burro-cuando-poje (“disappearing donkey”) — A bizarrely specific phrase that raises more questions than answers.
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Dozens more reflect food, nature, or metaphors tied to daily life.
These names show how identity in Brazil can be personal, playful, and layered with history.
Why Brazil’s Identity System Matters
While some terms may seem funny, they highlight serious truths about Brazil:
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Identity is fluid. Labels shift based on perception, heritage, and context.
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Language shapes belonging. The words chosen reflect pride, humor, or survival.
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History lingers. Centuries of colonization and migration still echo in self-descriptions.
These unusual census terms remind us that identity is never simple — it’s a mix of history, culture, and personal expression.
What Surprised You Most?
Gin’s exploration of Brazil’s parda classifications is just one window into the country’s cultural complexity. Some terms are serious, others funny, but together they reveal a nation constantly negotiating what identity means.
Which label surprised you the most? Drop a comment below — especially if you’re Brazilian — and help expand this fascinating conversation.