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PHOTOS OF BRAZILIAN CARNIVAL

Brazil’s carnival is an annual celebration that takes place 40 days before Easter (since the beginning of Lent). It is quite different if we compare it with European carnivals and it is also very different from other carnivals of the Brazilian territory.

In spite of the catholic inspiration, this celebration is considered a pagan festivity and is not related to religion. Brazilian carnivals have European roots, and started as a kind of carnival called introito (“entrance” in Latin) and entrudo in Portuguese, and the characteristic of it is throwing water, from one person to another to purify the body. The Estrudo was banned at the middle of XIX century but not with much success, it was considered violent by high social classes (it was said that many people passed away due to infections and other types of diseases since that sometimes people threw rotten fruit).

By the end of XIX century , the cordoes (“bonds” in Portuguese) were introduced in Rio de Janeiro and consisted of a group of people who walked along the streets playing music and singing. The Cordoes were the roots of modern samba schools .

The blocos (blocks), other name for cordoes, are some of present representations of the popular Brazil’s carnival. They are made of people who wear costumes according to some topics or who celebrate carnival in an specific way.

The samba’s schools are  organizations that work during the whole year to prepare themselves for the carnival march. The main celebration takes place in Rio de Janeiro, in where the samba’s schools, blocks and bands take over many neighborhoods . In some regions of the north of that country there is another way of celebrating the carnival: The electric Threesome, it consists of an adapted truck with huge speakers and a platform in where musicians play local music such us maracatú and axé.

Amazona’s Carnival

The Amazona’s carnival is an annual festivity organized in July in Parintis city and the main stars here are the two blocks: Garantido and Caprichoso. It’s based in local folkloric elements and in the Indian culture.

This celebration was unkwon by many part of the Brazilian population till 1996, where a music group called Carrapicho introduced the success Bate Forte o Tambor. This song is used till today in the traditional carnival to celebrate and worship the northen culture of the country.

PHOTO GALLERY OF BRAZILIAN CARNIVAL