Dear Folks, Boa Tarde!! It is a chilly -3 degrees kind of day in NYC. As I peer through my window down to the snow covered streets below, I can’t help but reminisce on were I was at this time last February – in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Last February by now, I was witnessing the eye popping spectacle that is Carnival in Brazil. As a black girl, I found the experience to be even more thrilling because I could see the direct correlation between everything that was “carnival” and everything that is “African culture”. Carnival in Brazil to me captured well the African proverb which says “you can take the monkey out of the jungle, but you cant take the jungle out of the monkey”.
Despite having left the motherland hundreds of years ago, Afro Brazilians have somehow managed to keep remnants of their African culture and this is on full display during Carnival. From the music songs, to the garments worn, everything that is Carnival points to the land far away where they come from – which they call Angola.
I fear on this occasion, my pen will not do justice in capturing my experience of being a “Pearla Negra” in Brazil during carnival. I am hoping my photos and videos will do a better job. So, come with me down memory lane, as I reminisce on one of the most incredible spectacles in the world.
THE FIRST STAGE OF CARNIVAL In October: of a given year, the different Samba schools and their supporters reunite in their “compounds” for a big performance which essentially kicks of the beginning of the preparations for carnival of the following year. In Sao Paulo where I lived, the biggest and most respected Samba School is called “Vai -Vai”.!! By chance, my best Afro-Brazilian friend – happened to be deeply embedded in the local samba scene, so it didn’t take much for her to get us passes to see Vai Vai…in full display.
OFFICIAL START – FEBRUARY
Is the official start of Carnival each year. During the week-long celebration there are two kinds of carnivals – carnival in the streets and the organized carnival which takes place in the Sambadrome (the televised parade which most people know).
Carnival in the Streets
The Sambadrome Version – ( which just means the carnival parade in an enclosed arena)
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