SAMBA SHAKES!

The moment you think of Brazil, you think Carnival (or football) but I’m sticking to the first one.

Rio de Jeneiro hosts the lavish world-famous celebration which lasts for almost a week held annually. Scores of tourists flock the city to witness the sensational parades having elaborate floats that are surrounded by thousands of artists, singers and dancers who are all dressed in intricate and inevitably outrageous costumes.

As they grove to the mesmerizing beats, one can spectate the richness and vibrancy of their culture, resulting as a major tourist attraction and being televised around the globe. This is an opportunity when locals shut their offices, shops and institutes to merge themselves in the manifestation of happiness and freedom, whatever the time, wherever the place being in the peak season of summer.

The Carnival is celebrated 46 days before Easter leading up to Lent festival which is an abstinence period, in the Roman Catholic calendar. Traditionally, Christians celebrate the Carnival to bid farewell to eating flesh in the months of February and March. They stay away from the consumption of meat/poultry, hence the word ‘Carnival’ which originated from the word ‘Carnelevare’ (Carnival is actually spelled as Carnavale) means to “remove meat”.

The event was brought to Brazil by the Portuguese who occupied the zone of Rio at that time, celebrated and called it ‘Entrudo’. It was a violent practice by the poor classes which involved throwing water, flour, eggs and mud at unsuspecting people on the street, often resulting in fights. This tradition is still persevered in certain parts of Brazil and South America.

The festival gradually evolved as a form of imitation from Paris by holding balls and masquerade parties. It mimicked the European style, later absorbing elements form Native American and African cultures.

Samba music and dance which is a mix of Angolan, European and Cuban art is the life of the Carnival. It was a result of black Brazilians who after the abolition of slavery settled in slums and their art became a part in of the festival only later.

Today, Samba schools composed of thousands of people including dancers; professional or amateurs, commoners or celebrities prepare relentlessly throughout the year and proudly showcase their talents and handmade costumes inspired by social and political themes during parades. Along with criticizing and praising the Brazilian reality while celebrating, these associations do their bit by involving in programs that aid in education and healthcare services in various poverty stricken areas.

The crux of action takes place in Sambadrome a well-designed stadium that can accommodates 90,000 spectators and more than 30,000 participants where over 100 block parades participate. . A keen panel of 40 judges gives points the samba schools on the pretext to costumes, percussions, songs, flag and theme as they move along the route. The winner of is announced on Ash Wednesday, the next day. As the well-orchestrated parade moves along the strip, the crowd on the stands goes insane in the union of song, dance and art making it a giant electrifying party. This is all done within the constraints of a strong security system and provided toilet facilities.

Skimpy outfits worn by women also increase the intensity of the Carnival. While onlookers (mainly women) say it is not family-friendly, they take pride in their beaded, spangled and feathered attire and blame the heat and liberality of Brazil for their minimalistic clothing. However do not make the mistake of regarding Brazilian women as easy. Foreigners are mostly shunned negatively due to problems of sexual tourism in the past.

Besides having unprecedented tourists flocking the country which aids in economic development, there is also a high alcohol consumption rate and a great opportunity for the government to launch AID awareness campaigns. Last year, 600 thousand condoms were distributed. 

Palak Singh

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