Carnival
Brazil is known for its very diverse and interesting culture. One manifestation of this culture is the Carnival that Brazil is famous for. While Carnival is a celebration that can be found around the world, Brazilian Carnival certainly has its own, unique flavor. The correct spelling of Brazilian Carnival is Carnaval, and it is the annual festival in Brazil that is held four days before Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is the day of fasting and repentance that marks the beginning of Lent, so Carnaval is a stark contrast of colorful celebration. The name Carnaval comes from a religious tradition. On certain days of Lent, Roman Catholics and some other Christians abstain from eating meat and poultry, so the term “carnival” was applied. It developed from carnelevare which translates to the removal of meat.
Carnaval celebrations are believed to have roots in a pagan festival called Saturnalia. This festival was adapted to Christianity as a farewell to pleasures of the flesh as a season of religious discipline drew near and Christians were preparing to practice repentance and preparing for Christ’s death and resurrection.
Brazilian Carnival has a mix of African, Native, and Euro elements, which truly exhibits both its European and native counterparts. From one region of Brazil to another, the rhythm, participation, and costume can vary greatly. One example is that in the southeastern cities of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, organized parades are led by samba schools and they compete for prizes on an open stage called the sambodromo. Only those affiliated with the samba-school are allowed to participate in the shows. On the other hand, smaller cities often have no such public events, and instead promote balls in the recreational clubs. The major styles of Brazilian carnival are Rio de Janeiro style, Bahia style, Pernambuco style, and Minas Gerais style.
The Brazilian Carnival is one of the largest carnival celebrations in the world. It is called “One of the biggest shows of the Earth” and each year it attracts millions of tourists both from Brazil and other countries in the world.
Samba Schools are large social entities that have thousands of members, and each year they have a theme for their song and parade. A Bloco is like a Samba School but is generally smaller and more informal. It also has a definite theme in their samba, and it is usually satirical of the current political situation. Some Blocos are not small, but gather a huge number of participants, sometimes hundreds of thousands of people. There are about thirty of these large Blocos in Rio de Janeiro, and there are over two hundred Blocos total in Rio de Janeiro. A Banda is a samba musical band that is usually formed by enthusiasts in the same neighborhood.
Carnaval is a truly excellent example of Brazilian cultural diversity, because it varies so greatly from one region to another. It also is a showcase for the best of Brazil’s food, music, art, dance, and other cultural practices. Both locals and tourists enjoy it in huge numbers every year.