There are several possible origins for carnival, dated from as far as 10000 years before Christ, according to some authors. The word "carnival" may have its origin in the latin expression carrum novalis, with which the Romans opened their celebrations, or in the word carnelevale, from the Milanese dialect, which means "goodbye to meat" - an allusion to the start of christian Lent. Nowadays, carnival almost disappeared from Europe, where this party has already been very important in several places. The Portuguese carnival, which has been taken to its colonies (including Brazil) has always been very different from carnival in other European countries, being recognized even by Portuguese authors as a party whose main characteristics were dirt and violence.

Carnival has started in Brazil in 1723, with the migration coming from the Portuguese islands of Madeira, Açores and Cabo Verde. The carnival commemorations, called Entrudo (word of latin origin meaning "entrance"), were similar to the ones which happened in Portugal - described by the Brazilian-Portuguese Encyclopædia:

"Everywhere along the streets there was a true fight where the weapons were eggs, or their shells filled with flour or plaster, cartridges of gun powder, wax bottles filled with perfumed water, lupines, glass or card tubes used to blow violently, corn and beans which were poured on the heads of those passing by.
There were also gloves filled with sand thrown on hats of careless people and oranges, tangerines and even cakes. In several districts people threw to the streets, or from one window to another, old pans and pots which were no longer being used, as it was later done in the last day of the year, showing the intention of putting an end to all old things in the house. In the old Portuguese entrudos people also used hitting others with brooms, wooden spoons, etc.." The French artist Debret has depicted images of Entrudo in Rio de Janeiro, very similar to the scenes described above.

In 1840 the first Carnival Ball happened. A traditional masks shop imported masks and fake moustaches and beards to help making the fancy clothes.

In 1852 the Zé Pereira appeared, a group of drums leaded by the shoesmith José Nogueira de Azevedo Paredes, who strolled along the city streets, making fun during Carnival. Next came other instruments, like "cuícas", tambourines and "pandeiros".

In 1855 the first big carnival clubs were born: the Big Societies ("Grandes Sociedades"). These clubs did not gather just for carnival, but also for civic reasons. With their organization and allegoric cars, they were the precursors of today's organized Carnival. By that time, Carnival still had a very European style, which gradually evolved and became more Brazilian.

In 1907 the Corso was born, a parade of automobiles which became one of the main attractions of Rio's carnival during the first decades of the 20th. century.

The "cordões" and "blocos" gave birth to the samba-schools, which still exist. The first of them, founded in 1928 in the district called Estácio, was named Deixa Falar (which means "Let them talk"). The first parade, still extra-official, happened in 1932; the first official parade dates from 1935 and happened in Praça Onze, a traditional point of concentration for "blocos" and "cordões". With the city's urban evolution, Praça Onze was destroyed for building Av. Presidente Vargas and the parade was moved several times until 1984, when the creation of Passarela do Samba offered them a definitive place.

For 3 decades the samba-schools parades happened spontaneously: only in 1963 the first arquibancadas were built and its places were sold to the audience, at Av. Presidente Vargas.

On March 2nd. 1984 a stage built specially for the parade was inaugurated. Built in Av. Marquês de Sapucaí (which no longer was used for traffic), was called "Avenida dos Desfiles" (Parades Avenue), a name that was soon changed to "Passarela do Samba" and, since February 18th. 1997, to "Passarela Professor Darcy Ribeiro". Despite the official names, its nickname has prevailed: Sambódromo (sambadrome). 700 m long, with a maximum height of 19 m and 85000 m² of built area, the "Sambódromo" can receive an audience of about 62000 pessoas. The parade lane is oriented from Av. Presidente Vargas to Rua Frei Caneca; arquibancadas, camarotes and cadeiras de pista are distributed along both sides, divided on blocks numbered by sector.

Some names of the biggest Samba Schools: Unidos da Tijuca, Mangueira, Salgueiro, Imperatriz Leopoldinense, União da Ilha do Governador, Beija-Flor de Nilópolis, Unidos do Viradouro, Mocidade Independente.

USEFUL INFORMATION IF YOU DECIDE TO PARTICIPATE TO A DESFILE WITH A SAMBA SCHOOL.

Actually it is extremly easy, all you have to do is access Internet with the name of the Samba School you would like to "desfilar" with, for example Imperatriz Leopoldinense: www.imperatrizleopoldinense.com.br at the Link "Fantasias" you have the pictures of the costumes of the school. You choose the one you like and opening the picture you will find name, phone number, fax,cellular,ect. of the person in charge of it. The price usually varies in between R$150 and R$350 and includes the participation to the "desfile". To book yours, you have to send a deposit of 50%, the rest you will pay once you arrive in Rio and you will go to the school to get it (or they delivey it to you).Once it is payed, it is YOURS, that meens that you can take it with you as a souvenir!!!!

Visit the following site if you like to know more about Carnival in Rio de Janeiro:www.123-rio.com.

Article written by Alessandra P.B.Larousse

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