Carnival Brazil

Alena B.

Carnival is a huge celebration that starts 4 days before Ash Wednesday which is the beginning of Lent for Catholics in Brazil. It's just like Mardi Gras which we celebrate in New Orleans at the same time. Many people believe that carnival means "farewell to meat" because so many people stop eating meat during Lent. In northeast cities, like Salvador, people parade in streets and follow floats through the city. The floats are giant trucks with speakers on all sides playing very loud music. On top, singers and dancers perform on a stage. As many as 4000 people play to be able to follow close to a truck. The population may double or triple during Carnival. Everyone participates from grandparents to little kids, from rich to poor. In Rio de Janero, the capitol of Brazil, Samba schools perform in a giant stadium called the Sambadrome for 4 nights. People buy a seat and they watch the dancers parade by. Schools spend all year planning for the parade in the stadium. Carnival is a very special time in Brazil.