Subscribe to our Newsletter
Latest News
- PASSION PARTY - SUNDAY 26TH FEBRUARY 20-Feb-2012
- COURSES COMING UP SOON 19-Feb-2012
- LDA TRULY SHINES AT THE SYDNEY LATIN FESTIVAL 2012 14-Feb-2012
- PERFORMANCE COURSES FOR SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL BACHATA FESTIVAL 17-Jan-2012
- SHINES & BODY MOVEMENT SHORT COURSE - With Champions Nestor Manuelian & Ulysses MacLaren 16-Jan-2012
Brazilian Carnival
THE HISTORY OF CARNIVAL
There are many versions about the origins of ‘Carnival’:
The Carnival began in Italy and was called “Saturnalias” which means party in tribute of the planet Saturn. During these celebrations in Rome they didn’t follow the hierarchy of society because the slaves, philosophers and politicians etc. mixed with each other in public places. During this period in time there was a lot of lewd behavior, sexual activity and drunkenness.
The Carnival in Brazil
The Brazilian Carnival is a result of a transforming and growing culture that today democratically involves all classes, colours, beliefs and traditions. Brazil attracts worldwide attention in February and March because of the lavish and extravagant annual carnival.
It is important to remember the Carnival takes place throughout all of Brazil. There are celebrations everywhere from the little towns to the capital cities, each an adaptation of the local culture.
The Rio Carnival is the most famous in the world. What people don’t know is that the carnival in Rio is in fact a competition between various Samba schools throughout the city. The carnival in Sao Paolo follows the same style.
Brazilian Samba schools perform a similar role as Community Centres in Australia. They encourage people of the community to have an active role in Brazilian culture through music, dance costume and other creative aspects. Their passion for their school motivates them to work all year; their aim is to see their school win the competition.
Each school must satisfy a certain criteria and is judged at a very high standard. Each school parade is evaluated not only for its beauty but also for its technique.
The Schools’ Criteria is as follows:
Enredo (Theme):
Each parade must be relevant to the core theme, chosen by each school. From the costumes, sections, floats, scenarios, colours, symbols, bateria (drummers) to the lyrics, all must have a core relation. The themes can be national or international with no association with marketing or merchandise allowed whatsoever.
Samba-Enredo (Samba Lyrics)
The Samba-Enredo is the school’s chosen music, played throughout the whole parade. The lyrics must be integrated and related to the parade’s main themes and ideas.
Comissao de Frente (Front Commissions)
Front commissions are the opening of each school’s parade. They must compliment the public, and present their samba school through an elegant and sophisticated choreography.
Fantasias (Costumes)
The criteria includes originality, creativity, use of colours and visual effectiveness individually and as a group. In recent years the display of breasts has become permitted however bikini bottoms are a necessity.
Bateria (Drummers)
Most of the instruments are percussion, with brass and wind instruments not permitted.
Mestre-Sala e Porta-Bandeira (The couple presenting the School Flag)
The man’s job is to protect the woman and the flag of their samba school, while the woman must carry the flag and dance with grace, posture and elegance. Their costumes are extravagant and reminiscent of royalty.
Harmonia (Harmony)
One of the most important components of a school’s parade, the criteria includes co-ordination and integration of rhythm, singing and choreography.
Evolucao (Evolution)
Evolution represents the communication between the participants of the Samba school through their dancing and the audience, whom they must motivate. Also how their sections are organized and how they connect, no gaps being permitted.
Conjunto (The Parade as a whole is judged – Rio Only)
Taking onto account all aspects above as well as aesthetic quality as a group each Samba School is graded.
Letra do Samba (Samba Lyrics – Sao Paolo Only)
Samba Schools that incorporate catchy words, phrases that motivate and generally are more able to captivate the audience - are regarded more highly.
A Different Carnival…
We leave the lush glamorous surrounding of Rio and Sao Paulo and head up north, where most Brazilian’s prefer to spend Carnival, more precisely in Salvador or Recife where you will find mostly young Brazilians passionate about north east music, dance and culture.
Salvador’s carnival is the biggest street party in the world, with more than two (2) million people cramming in to see famous Brazilian bands. These bands are not limited to one type of music, instead there is an eclectic mix of Axe, Samba-Reggae and Pagoda; music familiar to the audience, having been played all year round on the radio and on television.
There are no luxuries besides the price you pay for your carnival kit, which is your ticket to follow the float carrying the band of your choice. The prices can range from A$500 – A$600. A kit entitles you to be in the secured area and those who are not so fortunate are commonly referred to as ‘pipoca’ (popcorn)!
The huge floats (trio-electrico or electric-field trucks) carry massive sound equipment, bands and excellent dancers who dance and play for hours while travelling down Salvador’s coast. Each float can attract up to 4,000 party-goers.
During the route there is a lot of ‘behind-the-scenes’ fun including flirting, kissing and sometimes big surprises, like a giant shower in the middle of the street!
To keep up the spirits of the followers, many bands incorporate their own choreographies into their songs and, often, the singers request movements and actions from the crowd.
Even before the first float’s route is finished, another float starts - this continuous train, stretches all the way down the coast for a whole week, everyday for 18 hours!
All these crazy things combined together with the energy of the people make up the overall beauty of the carnival. The people from Bahia are the biggest party-goers in Brazil, perhaps even in the world!
During this period of the year, the difficult thing to offer is relaxation, so should you decide to come, be prepared! You must have the capacity for day and night partying, non-stop energy and, if not, don’t worry you’ll find it!
There are many versions about the origins of ‘Carnival’:
The Carnival began in Italy and was called “Saturnalias” which means party in tribute of the planet Saturn. During these celebrations in Rome they didn’t follow the hierarchy of society because the slaves, philosophers and politicians etc. mixed with each other in public places. During this period in time there was a lot of lewd behavior, sexual activity and drunkenness.
The Carnival in Brazil
The Brazilian Carnival is a result of a transforming and growing culture that today democratically involves all classes, colours, beliefs and traditions. Brazil attracts worldwide attention in February and March because of the lavish and extravagant annual carnival.
It is important to remember the Carnival takes place throughout all of Brazil. There are celebrations everywhere from the little towns to the capital cities, each an adaptation of the local culture.
The Rio Carnival is the most famous in the world. What people don’t know is that the carnival in Rio is in fact a competition between various Samba schools throughout the city. The carnival in Sao Paolo follows the same style.
Brazilian Samba schools perform a similar role as Community Centres in Australia. They encourage people of the community to have an active role in Brazilian culture through music, dance costume and other creative aspects. Their passion for their school motivates them to work all year; their aim is to see their school win the competition.
Each school must satisfy a certain criteria and is judged at a very high standard. Each school parade is evaluated not only for its beauty but also for its technique.
The Schools’ Criteria is as follows:
Enredo (Theme):
Each parade must be relevant to the core theme, chosen by each school. From the costumes, sections, floats, scenarios, colours, symbols, bateria (drummers) to the lyrics, all must have a core relation. The themes can be national or international with no association with marketing or merchandise allowed whatsoever.
Samba-Enredo (Samba Lyrics)
The Samba-Enredo is the school’s chosen music, played throughout the whole parade. The lyrics must be integrated and related to the parade’s main themes and ideas.
Comissao de Frente (Front Commissions)
Front commissions are the opening of each school’s parade. They must compliment the public, and present their samba school through an elegant and sophisticated choreography.
Fantasias (Costumes)
The criteria includes originality, creativity, use of colours and visual effectiveness individually and as a group. In recent years the display of breasts has become permitted however bikini bottoms are a necessity.
Bateria (Drummers)
Most of the instruments are percussion, with brass and wind instruments not permitted.
Mestre-Sala e Porta-Bandeira (The couple presenting the School Flag)
The man’s job is to protect the woman and the flag of their samba school, while the woman must carry the flag and dance with grace, posture and elegance. Their costumes are extravagant and reminiscent of royalty.
Harmonia (Harmony)
One of the most important components of a school’s parade, the criteria includes co-ordination and integration of rhythm, singing and choreography.
Evolucao (Evolution)
Evolution represents the communication between the participants of the Samba school through their dancing and the audience, whom they must motivate. Also how their sections are organized and how they connect, no gaps being permitted.
Conjunto (The Parade as a whole is judged – Rio Only)
Taking onto account all aspects above as well as aesthetic quality as a group each Samba School is graded.
Letra do Samba (Samba Lyrics – Sao Paolo Only)
Samba Schools that incorporate catchy words, phrases that motivate and generally are more able to captivate the audience - are regarded more highly.
A Different Carnival…
We leave the lush glamorous surrounding of Rio and Sao Paulo and head up north, where most Brazilian’s prefer to spend Carnival, more precisely in Salvador or Recife where you will find mostly young Brazilians passionate about north east music, dance and culture.
Salvador’s carnival is the biggest street party in the world, with more than two (2) million people cramming in to see famous Brazilian bands. These bands are not limited to one type of music, instead there is an eclectic mix of Axe, Samba-Reggae and Pagoda; music familiar to the audience, having been played all year round on the radio and on television.
There are no luxuries besides the price you pay for your carnival kit, which is your ticket to follow the float carrying the band of your choice. The prices can range from A$500 – A$600. A kit entitles you to be in the secured area and those who are not so fortunate are commonly referred to as ‘pipoca’ (popcorn)!
The huge floats (trio-electrico or electric-field trucks) carry massive sound equipment, bands and excellent dancers who dance and play for hours while travelling down Salvador’s coast. Each float can attract up to 4,000 party-goers.
During the route there is a lot of ‘behind-the-scenes’ fun including flirting, kissing and sometimes big surprises, like a giant shower in the middle of the street!
To keep up the spirits of the followers, many bands incorporate their own choreographies into their songs and, often, the singers request movements and actions from the crowd.
Even before the first float’s route is finished, another float starts - this continuous train, stretches all the way down the coast for a whole week, everyday for 18 hours!
All these crazy things combined together with the energy of the people make up the overall beauty of the carnival. The people from Bahia are the biggest party-goers in Brazil, perhaps even in the world!
During this period of the year, the difficult thing to offer is relaxation, so should you decide to come, be prepared! You must have the capacity for day and night partying, non-stop energy and, if not, don’t worry you’ll find it!
Latin Dance Australia - 1300 135 257 - Suite A 263 Broadway Rd – Broadway NSW 2007 - Email: dance@latindance.com.au 