Carnaval!

Yesterday afternoon and this morning, Brazilians have been returning to work, school, and their normal business after the long Carnaval weekend. Millions of people took to the streets, as they do every year, to take part in the loud, colourful festivities. But what's it all about? What is it they are celebrating? What makes it different from Carnivals in other countries? Is there an 'official' way to do Carnaval? Is it spelt 'Carnaval' or 'Carnival'?

Painting of Entrudo dating from 17th Century

It's hard to give exact answers to many of the questions, since the modern-day carnaval can take its origins from several different events and parts of history - but here are a few 'facts' we've gleaned from other people and of course the internet …

Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro

CHRISTIAN ORIGINS: The period of Lent (the 40 days before Easter) has often been marked by abstinence from something. Some christians, but mainly Roman Catholics in Italy have traditionally abstained from the consumption of meat. The word "Carnaval" has its root in the Latin languages, and means something like 'Take Meat' (carne) - i.e. remove it from the diet. Carnaval, therefore, was a celebration of eating meat and doing other pleasurable things, prior to a period of discipline, when these things would not be 'allowed'. 

OVER THE YEARS IN BRAZIL: There are records of many different celebrations and parties, many of which merged together to become today's Carnaval. These included a street party imported form Portugal called "Entrudo", partying in Rio de Janeiro to mark the coronation (in Portugal) of Don João IV, and later again for his wedding.  In the late 18th century, some groups in Rio started celebrating "Serração da Velha" which means "old sawmill", which celebrated rejuvenation. This took place just before Lent, and so became combined with the religious festivals of the Catholic church. There has also been an African  influence introduced by the descendants of the black slaves in Brazil. Over the years, things started to get more organised and elaborate, with costumes, floats, music, and organised dancing.

Samba band

BRAZILIAN CARNAVAL TODAY: Carnaval is celebrated all over Brazil, and although it always involves costumes, music, dancing, food and drink, there are regional differences. In some regions, such as Rio de Janeiro, there are Blocos (blocks), which are teams usually made up of people from particular neighbourhoods, all dressed the same. Things can get quite competitive,  in many cases Samba Schools spend months practising dance routines. The type of music can vary from region to region, but there's always music! In some cities there are specific stadia built for Carnaval - like the Sambadrome in São Paulo; in other places streets are closed off and the city stops everything just for Samba. In our city, one of the main dual carriageways near the centre of town is closed to traffic, stands are erected and it becomes a temporary Carnaval stadium.

Carnaval in São Paulo