#carnavais

📽️| The Samba Schools' history didn't start out being as extravagant and grandiose as it is today. The streets were not yet filled with crazy and colorful costumes, or loud music. The carnival was a simple parade made up of a pair of flag holders who led the parade, floats, and the Vanguard Commission. The history of Samba Schools started with the very first group to consider themselves as a “Samba School”: “Deixa Falar”. They were located on the hills beyond Praca Onze and formed in 1928, but disbanded a few years after and then re-organized again under the banner of Estacio de Sá. In 1928, another group deemed themselves as a Samba School, the Mangueira. Most schools are made up of members who come from the slums of Rio de Janeiro, but through these groups, the people of Rio find a sense of involvement and community among themselves.

Sources: TV Futura

SambasDeEnredoVevo (on YouTube)

TV Cultura

TV Globo (via Samba é Paixão on YouTube)

Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel

Viradouro

 📑| In the suburbs of Rio de Janeiro, there's another tradition for Carnival: the Bate-Bolas. It all started back when the railroads were being constructed in the city. The workers, who came from Europe, were working in poor conditions and used to wear large clothes with clown masks to protest about their situation. They also used to explode baloons and scream in front of companies. The Brazilians started to call the clowns "Clóvis" and continued the tradition as well, but for fun during the Carnival season. Nowadays, the tradition still remains. Actually, the original tradition used to be masculine, but is starting to become something for women - a completely different Carnival experience for them.

Every year the people from the suburbs choose a theme, work on their outfits and use the four day party to have fun. The Bate-bola groups want to look better than the others. Sometimes, the festivity might end up in violence and fights, while others just want to have a good time and laugh.

Sources:

Claun - A Saga dos Bate-bolas

TV Gama

Folha de São Paulo

This Is Bate-bola

BATEBOLA (Documentary)