Brazilian “Rio Carnaval”, what you don’t know about it…

Most of people think that Brazilian carnival is all about girls half naked dancing on the streets. Well, to a certain extent… but it is not only that, there is a lot of culture to it.

Northeast "Carnaval"

Different parts of Brazil celebrate the “Carnaval” differently; in the Northeast, for example, they have big sound trucks that go around the city with a band singing from the top of it while the public follows. These bands usually sing “Axe” music, which is very typical of that region.

The “Carnaval” known around the world happens in Rio de Janeiro where Schools of Samba compete every year. The schools prepare the whole year for that one night where they will be judged in various aspects such as music, harmony, clothing and band. Each school have about five thousand people that live in the community participating in the event and helping to prepare the school, all to just to enjoy that one night. 

Rio "Carnaval"

What most people don’t know is that all schools choose a theme a year before the time and these themes have to be of historical significance. The participants are divided into sections and each section represents a part of that historical topic. After that, there is a competition within the school to choose the samba song for the show. The schools have prerequisites that they have to comply with such as an elderly and a special needs section.

In my opinion, the beauty of the “Carnaval” is the way that it brings the community together. The passion of the people for the event is indescribable, one can only truly experience it by being there.