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LouieRio Carnivale 2007
February 15th 2007 20:55
The infamous Rio Carnivale is beginning again, this year falling on the 17th of February. Although some may try, there is no other festival or celebration in the world that comes close to the annual Rio Carnivale in Rio De Janeiro as far as music, dancing and of course the excessive and breathtaking costumes. The Rio Carnivale is not only the biggest Carnival, but also one of the most interesting artistic global events. Foreign visitors alone number around 500,000 every year.
I was interested to see how it all began, finding it hard to believe it had a religious meaning given the images I had seen of scantily clad women, wearing massive feather head dresses dancing the Samba.
However, the fact is that Rio Carnivale marks the start of Lent (held forty days before Easter). During Lent, Roman Catholics, which constitute the majority in Brazil, are to abstain from bodily pleasures. Carnivale, which is celebrated as a profane event, is considered an act of farewell to the pleasures of the flesh, and for this reason much is exposed.
Something else you may not know about Rio Carnivale is that the first records of Carnivale festivities in Rio de Janeiro date back to 1723 by immigrants from the Portuguese islands of Açores, Madeira and Cabo Verde. The modern Brazilian Carnival finds its roots in the 1830s, when the city’s 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. It is a combination of these influences that resulted in the dramatic costumes that are an essential part of Rio Carnivale today.
The majority of the music in the Rio Carnival is samba. It is a uniquely Brazilian music originating from Rio and a dance form that was invented by the poor Afro-Brazilians.
What I love about the idea of Carnivale is the sense of community involved in it. Even people who live in shantytowns, with no sewerage or water, join in the celebrations of Carnivale. They may try to glamorize or televise it, but Rio Carnivale is something that comes deep from the fun-loving Carioca soul. It does not depend on any authority or sponsor to happen, Carnivale happens all over the streets, where it's free, and everybody's welcome to participate.
image from www.southamericanexperience.co.uk
I was interested to see how it all began, finding it hard to believe it had a religious meaning given the images I had seen of scantily clad women, wearing massive feather head dresses dancing the Samba.
image from www.viaje-seguro.com
However, the fact is that Rio Carnivale marks the start of Lent (held forty days before Easter). During Lent, Roman Catholics, which constitute the majority in Brazil, are to abstain from bodily pleasures. Carnivale, which is celebrated as a profane event, is considered an act of farewell to the pleasures of the flesh, and for this reason much is exposed.
image from rio-carnival.net
Something else you may not know about Rio Carnivale is that the first records of Carnivale festivities in Rio de Janeiro date back to 1723 by immigrants from the Portuguese islands of Açores, Madeira and Cabo Verde. The modern Brazilian Carnival finds its roots in the 1830s, when the city’s 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. It is a combination of these influences that resulted in the dramatic costumes that are an essential part of Rio Carnivale today.
an example of the African influences on the costumes at the Carnivale - image from www.braziltravelinformation.com
The majority of the music in the Rio Carnival is samba. It is a uniquely Brazilian music originating from Rio and a dance form that was invented by the poor Afro-Brazilians.
What I love about the idea of Carnivale is the sense of community involved in it. Even people who live in shantytowns, with no sewerage or water, join in the celebrations of Carnivale. They may try to glamorize or televise it, but Rio Carnivale is something that comes deep from the fun-loving Carioca soul. It does not depend on any authority or sponsor to happen, Carnivale happens all over the streets, where it's free, and everybody's welcome to participate.
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Comment by David
(I feel like Jo Bjelke-Peterson on ACA writing to you ... No JANA, NO! That is not correct. Flo only uses Queensland Blue pumpkins in her scones ...
The South Americans certainly act like Catholics. Considering that Lent begins on 21 Feb this year, to indulge in the pleasures of the flesh for 4 days running prior the the major season of Penance? That is so Catholic ...
I haven't indulged in the pleasures of the flesh for so long, I'm thinking of having sex all Lent long this year ... * Just to punish myself ... (Mostly S&M stuff, [a bit of Sub/Dom thrown in for extra penance], and get a bit of blood-flow happening mainly ... (Okay, call me fanatically pentitential if you like ...
I wonder what Blessed Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe think of all this? ... *
And say hello to Sisi for me ...
David ...
Comment by Always Eighteen
Always Eighteen
Comment by jgale15@hotmail.com
Comment by Sisi
Jana you're so right...my friend had a Carnivale 21st and she hired Capoeira dancers (who also offer classes)...they were SO HOT!! Mmmm Capoeira