Tropicalism

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A cultural approach that highlights the richness of tropical ecosystems through artistic and literary expressions
2. An artistic movement that focuses on the vibrant themes and subjects derived from tropical climates and settings
3. An approach to culture emphasizing the natural features and diversity of tropical regions ; a creative style influenced by the colors, flora, and ambiance typical of tropical areas

Etymology: Tropicalismo is a Brazilian Portuguese word, and it is the source of the English term. In Brazil it names a movement of the late 1960s, led by musicians such as Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil, that mixed Brazilian folk forms with rock, pop and avant-garde influences. The English word took that Brazilian name and swapped its ending for the English "-ism," so the English form is a substitution rather than a straightforward borrowing. The English word itself is built from "tropical" plus "-ism," which is why its surface shape looks so transparent. Its meaning here, though, is the broader idea of art and writing that celebrates the lush richness of tropical landscapes and ecosystems, a sense that goes beyond the Brazilian movement it originally echoed. The Oxford English Dictionary records the word in its online edition, which was launched in 2000.

Synonyms: tropical style, tropical culture