Brazil's Rich Cultural Diversity

By: L. Roschel

​Around the world, Carnival is a festival from antiquity, emerging from Catholic customs of the ancient Roman Empire. Nevertheless, it spread around the continents and adapted to divergent nations and their cultures. Nowadays, Carnival has become part of the Brazilian tradition, strengthening not only the annual economy but also the country's identity.

Connected to Brazil, the festival came through the Portuguese colonizers in the seventh century; however, in the beginning, the traditions were not the same as in the present. The event arose in carnival societies, which promoted its popularization among the less developed communities as a joke here and a masquerade there. Eventually, Brazilian creativity and spirit started to interfere. 

​There isn't just one way to celebrate Carnival, since Brazil has a great cultural diversity spread out over the estates, for instance in Pernambuco, located in the northeast of the country, presents the typical manifestation inuenced by the indigenous and African customs like the frevo, with an explosion of colours, frenetic dance and fascinating vitality. In addition, the maracatu originated dates back to the coronations of the kings of Congo and Angola, and the impressive giant dolls, which enchant the Brazilian streets.

The schools of samba, elaborate fantastic parades in São Paulo and in Rio de Janeiro, which infects both the Brazilian population and the 200 thousand foreign tourists with its rhythms and choreographies. Certainly, the most common manner to commemorate Carnival is the street blocks, where anyone can participate. Furthermore, the blocks have distinct themes and variations of rhythms, including MPB (Brazilian popular music), rock, traditional “marchinhas”, forró and Bahian music.

The symbol of Brazilian Carnival for the world has become the oats and extravagant costumes, with almost 100 years since the ofcial parades began. Although, the true essence of the festival is to bring excitement, enthusiasm and energy for all, as many Brazilians say the year only starts after Carnival.