For most Christians in Brazil, Carnival is something they have put behind them, and don't want to be a part of anymore: they remember trying to fill themselves up with something other than God, and remember the futility. Being an outsider looking in, everyone has their version of Carnival to tell me (they enjoy "teaching the American" about their culture). Some tell me they are ashamed of their culture for having Carnival. I have some friends who will be leading the Blocos down the street, dancing as fast as their feet will allow. I have some who will watch the cultural festivities from afar, enjoying the beautiful costumes. One friend reminded me that "To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted." (Titus 1:15) There are many different definitions of Carnival.
Most of the Community churches use Carnival as a time to have a church "camp," somewhere away from the city. I have enjoyed these wonderful times of games, singing, eating, more games, and even more eating. Brazilians know how to have fun. Yep. Others use Carnival as a time to get away and rest: two years ago (and this year) I have enjoyed going to the beach and listening to the waves, rather than the blasting music.
Carnival is celebrated differently in different states, but in Northeastern Brazil, it is mostly made up of Samba schools and Blocos which are different groups/clubs that get together and give themselves names (like "o cachorro lambo tua cara" --the dog licked your face), sell matching shirts, have a band come and sing, and have at least one big Trio Electrico: a big truck thing with huge speakers on the roof and a dance floor on top of the speakers with singers/dancers going crazy on top of that. The Bloco will then parade down the street with people in front, behind, and around the Trio Electrico, dancing (this often ends up just jumping up and down, due to the lack of space) like no tomorrow. Recife (the capital of Pernambuco, the state I live in) and Olinda host some of the biggest and brightest Blocos--according to Guinness, Galo de Madrugada is the largest in the world (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnival), and will be next Saturday.
All the feiras (open air markets) are filled with masks and wigs and costumes. I can feel the excitement in the air, and for the past couple of weeks, until the middle of March, not much else will get done besides Carnival plans, decorations, and then clean up. Carnival is the time to forget, it is the time to dress up and be someone else, to let it all go. It is the ultimate masquerade.
Carnival is one of the biggest tourist attractions of Brazil, especially in Rio de Janeiro. It brings in a lot of revenue for many people. While it is full of bright colors and laughter, there is a darker side as well. For the many in poverty (Recife has posted statistics of more than 35% of the population living in deep poverty), it can be dangerous and victimizing. Prostitution is a huge production--I have heard stories of families that earned their yearly income through their daughters during Carnival. Many foreigners come with their money and take anything they want--and then leave the pieces broken on the floor.
For most of the children in the Living Stones program, they do not have the luxury of going to a church camp or the beach. They will be working--most often selling beer and running back and forth, doing little errands for whoever has some moedas (coins) for them. It is not uncommon for the children to go missing or get lost during Carnival. PETI is having a celebration for the kids next week, before Carnival, where the kids can play, enjoy themselves, and be kids rather than workers; and the parents can be informed of various dangers/tips to protect their children during Carnival.
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