now that i have introduced a little bit of history, and the demographics of Brazil lets have a post about something fun!!! .. Since its Carnival week in Brazil right now lets talk about the biggest celebration/party in the world. Carnival. Carnival is Brazil's most famous celebration, known for its samba, colorful floats, naked women, and alcohol, lots and lots of alcohol. Carnival last for about a week, and is held 46 days before Easter. It is derived from a Portuguese tradition, were during the 46 days of lent, a big party would be thrown. toward the 1800's parades started happening during these 46 days of lent and has evolved into what it is today.

Samba, a Brazilian style dance with African roots originated in the Brazilian state of Bahia, is the main music associated with carnival  In Rio De Janeiro schools of samba have been formed throughout the years. The oldest one being Mangueira, formed in 1928, a time where samba where exclusivity practiced by the lower classes. It wasn't until the 60's and 70's that samba became popular between upper and middle classes.

These schools practice all year long for carnival, creating a theme and float to ride down Rio's famous Sambadrome in Copacabana. The theme usually representing a part of the Brazilian culture. There is an official competition between the schools and every year. There is a special order that every school has to follow with their parade entries. Each school begins with the "comissão de frente" (Comission of Front ), which is the first wing, it is made up of ten to fifteen people only, and they are the ones who introduce the school and set the mood. These people have choreographic dances in fancy costumes that usually tell a short story. Following the "comissão de frente" is the first float of the samba school, called "abre-alas" ( Opening Way ).

comissao de frente 

Some of the important roles include the porta-bandeira and mestre-sala. The porta-bandeira is a very important lady ( usually some Brazilian starlet with a very nice body) who is in charge of the samba school flag, making sure to not allow the flag to roll. She is accompanied by the mestre-sala, who is supposed to draw everyone’s attention to "his queen", the porta-bandeira. Floatees, who are also important, are the people who populate the floats, also known as destaques. The floatees have the most luxurious and expensive costumes that can be extremely heavy. Along with all the floatees is one main floatee that is located at the top of each float ( usually another starlet ). The main destaque dances and sings for the entire time that the float is on the runway.

porta bandeira:

One other aspect that is mandatory is the presence of the "ala das baianas". This is a wing of the samba school entry that includes at least 100 females only. These women along with many other people do not ride on the floats as many others do, instead they are passistas, the people who belong to the samba school that do the marching alongside and between the floats.

ala das bainas: