1. Spelling = Carnaval. That isn’t a typo. If you haven’t heard of it, don’t let the Brazilians know. It is their claim to fame: The biggest party in the world. Wikipedia says that 70% of annual tourism to Brazil happens during Carnaval, and Rio de Janeiro's Carnaval alone drew 4.9 million people in 2011, with 400,000 being foreigners. Only Brazilians can turn a three day holiday into a month long celebration. The town I live in, Carpina, decided that because there are so many cool parties and Blocos other places, they are going to do all of their parties and Blocos BEFORE Carnaval. So while I am getting up at 6am to teach English, they are outside my apartment living it up until 6am.
2. Blocos. The official picture of Carnaval is one big party that revolves around parades that are presented by different Blocos. Think Macy’s day parade with sexy women dancing the samba instead of Snoopy. Blocos are different groups/clubs that get together and give themselves names (like "o cachorro lambeo tua cara" --the dog licked your face), sell matching shirts or crazy outfits, have a band, and at least one Trio Electrico (fancy ones have floats), which is a truck with huge speakers on the roof and a dance floor on top of the speakers with singers/dancers going crazy on top of that. Carnaval is the time to forget, it is the time to dress up and be someone else, to let it all go.
3. A Catholic holiday. Carnaval culminates on Fat Tuesday. The basic idea is to get in as much as you can before Ash Wednesday, which begins Lent, the 40 days until Easter, and traditionally a time of self-denial. That is the only part that resembles anything religious. For most Christians in Brazil, you do what you can to get away from Carnaval: it is something you culturally DO NOT do as a Christian. They normally use this time to have a church camp at the beach. The trifecta of Carnaval is drinking, drugs, and sex; but after seeing four Carnavals, it looks to me more like vomit, pee, and trash. Carnaval leaves a big mess everywhere, especially in people’s lives with violence, addiction, and prostitution. Carnaval accounts for about 80% of annual beer consumption in Brazil, and probably the same statistic for prostitution.
4. The dark side. While Carnaval is full of bright colors and laughter, for the many in poverty (Recife has posted statistics of more than 35% of the population living in deep poverty, and rural Brazil is 41%), Carnaval is dangerous and victimizing. Some families earn their yearly income through their daughters during Carnaval. Anyone with money can come and take whatever they want--and then leave the pieces. From an outside look (not Christian); here are some good articles about what people have to say about Carnaval:
a. http://www.neontommy.com/news/2011/04/brazils-carnaval-exposes-socioeconomic-differences (It is a party for those who have money)
b. http://riogringa.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/02/the-truth-about-carnival.html (A party girl saying it is not what it seems)
c. http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/world/02/14/10/crime-curbs-and-controversy-rios-carnival (There are still a lot of issues to deal with)
5. Living Stones Children. Most do not have the luxury of going to the beach—and if they do, it is to work. They will be selling beer and snacks, running back and forth, doing little errands for whoever has some moedas (coins) for them. It is not uncommon for children to go missing or get lost during Carnaval. Please keep Brazil in your prayers, especially the children. I feel frustrated, because my hands are tied—they are going to what they choose to do. Also remember those traveling, as car accidents go way up during Carnaval: a couple years ago, there was a car accident with one of the Community churches as they were coming home from Beach camp, and two people died.
There you have it. The good and the bad, the hype and colors, and the trash and smell. Brazil: land of irreconcilable extremes.
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