The Amazing Brazilian Carnaval

The Brazilian Carnival (Portuguese: Carnaval) is an annual festival in Brazil held 40 days before Easter and marks the beginning of Lent. During Lent, Roman Catholics are supposed to abstain from all bodily pleasures, including the consumption of meat. The carnival, celebrated as a profane event and believed to have its origins in the pagan Saturnalia, can thus be considered an act of farewell to the pleasures of the flesh. Brazilian Carnival as a whole exhibits some differences with its counterparts in Europe and other parts of the world, and within Brazil it has distinct regional manifestations. Contents [hide] * 1 Rio de Janeiro * 2 Bahia * 3 Pernambuco * 4 See also * 5 External links * 6 Carnival Photos and News [edit] Rio de Janeiro It has been suggested that Rio Carnival be merged into this article or section. (Discuss) Carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro Carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro Brazilian citizens used to riot until the Carnival was accepted by the government as an expression of culture. That was because the Brazilian carnival had its origin in a violent Portuguese festivity called "entrudo". [citation needed] The modern Brazilian Carnival finds its roots in Rio de Janeiro in the 1845s, when the citys bourgeoisie imported the practice of holding balls and masquerade parties from Paris. It originally mimicked the European form of the festival, over time acquiring elements derived from African and Amerindian cultures. In the late 19th century, the cordes (literally laces or strings in Portuguese) were introduced in Rio de Janeiro. These were groups of people who would parade through the streets playing music and dancing. Today they are known as blocos (blocks), consisting of a group of people who dress in costumes or specials t-shirts according to certain themes or to celebrate the Carnival. Blocos are generally associated with particular neighbourhoods or suburbs and include both a percussion or music group and an entour...