Eye-Opening Facts About The Brazil Carnivals Celebration!
Brazil carnivals are one of the biggest reasons tourists flock to the country year after year. So what exactly is carnival? How is it celebrated in Brazil and the different parts of the country?
Brazilian carnival (or Carnaval in native Portuguese) is an annual festival. It occurs 40 days before the Easter holiday and symbolizes the beginning of the Lent tradition where Roman Catholics refrain from indulging in any number of pleasures, such as eating meat. This knowledge is important to understanding the tradition of Brazil carnivals. The celebrations of carnival have their genesis in Pagan traditions and, thusly, are often considered a symbolic farewell to pleasures of flesh and a positive way to begin Lent.
While carnival is celebrated throughout the country, the most spectacular Brazil carnivals occur in Rio de Janeiro. These celebrations are known for the extravagant parades conducted by the city's samba schools. In fact, the parades are so popular that there is an area called the Sambadrome in downtown Rio, built solely for the purpose of showcasing parades. In preparation, each Samba school meticulously rehearses throughout the year, and competition to participate is fierce. When all is said and done, the end result is an energetic flawlessly performed spectacle for all to behold. In Rio, cross-dressing is a common element of the carnival atmosphere. It is entirely commonplace for aristocrats to dress as lesser commons, men to dress as women, and the poor to dress as royalty. It is a time for the barriers of class to be forgotten, even if only for a short while.
In the northeast of the country, Brazil carnivals are quite different. Chief among the differences are the styles of music. In Bahia, for instance, there is a greater emphasis on rhythm, such as reggae variations on the popular samba genre. The dancing that takes place in northeastern carnival celebrations is heavily influenced by Western cinema classics from the United States. One popular dance routine involves groups of people who dress as native Americans and assume names from American Indian tribes. Other groups participating in the celebration derive their identities from the United State's black pride movement and prefer music that speaks to the oppression and racism felt by their ancestors.
No matter what region of Brazil you find yourself in during this time of year, Brazil carnivals are an experience no traveler will soon forget. If you're looking for a chance to unwind and partake in a festival of triumph and celebration, this is it!
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