Brasil

World Wide Customs: Brasil

BRASIL:

Carnival (in Portuguese: Carnaval) is a Catholic event by origin, but is also rooted in European pagan traditions. Originally, Carnival was a food festival, because it was the last time to eat abundantly before the 40 days of Lent, a period of frugality starting on Ash Wednesday. Legend says the word 'Carnaval' was derived from the Latin expression 'carne vale' which translates as 'farewell to the meat'.

Gradually the tradition was created to go once a year onto the streets to have a party together. Musical styles and other customs merged over time. Only in 1917 this culminated  in the invention of the samba,  very much a product of the                  mutual love for music of the former colonists and the former slaves.  In Rio de Janeiro, the first samba schools were established in the early 1920s; the first samba parade competitions were held in 1933.

(1)

Fundamentally, the origin of Brazilian Carnival is very much the concept of ‘pretending’:

social conventions are turned upside down. Only these few days of the year it is

allowed’ releasing appearances and pretending to be something or someone else. 

The poor can wear expensive costumes (1) (2) (3), the rich can mingle in the streets with the common folk 

and dress down, men can wear women’s clothing, 

women can wear barely any clothing... 

During Carnival in Brazil, your options are limitless!

(2)

(3)

Rio de Janeiro

Proud, scantily clad beauty queens in glitters and feathers, dancing to loud samba tunes at huge decorated floats, surrounded by roaring crowds: this is the most iconic Carnival image of Brazil and everyone knows it is in Rio de Janeiro! Indeed, the Carnival of Rio de Janeiro (4) is the most popular and renowned Carnival festival in Braziland the rest of the world, but it is so much more than 'just' the official parade...

(4)

Basically, you can celebrate Carnaval in Rio de Janeiroin three ways: by watching samba schools contesting in the official Samba parade at the Sanbòdromo (5),by joining the common crowds in the suburbs having their own Carnival street parades (blocos) and by attending an (usually) indoor Carneval ball.

(5)

The Rio de Janeiro Carnival balls are more intimate 

costumed parties, usually indoors. They tend to be 

relatively upscale,with the formal Magic Ball 

at the Copacabana Palace as the most famous (and 

expensive). There are many other affordable

 balls throughout Rio de Janeiro as well, 

organized every night of the Carnival week. 

Some are aimed at gays with the ball at 

Le Boy (Copacabana) as the most extravagant. 

In general, about two weeks in advance tickets go for

 sale for all Riode Janeiro Carnival balls. 

Check out the schedules for venues, rates 

and dress codes..

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