February is the time of year when colours, brightness and joy come out: it’s carnival days! To speak of Carnival is to refer to one of the most typical and traditional festivals in the world. Although not all countries celebrate it.)
The spectacle includes parades, costumed crowds in the streets, marionettes, and lots of tradition. They also choose different themes or slogans each year, choosing “king” and “queen”. A time of the year that some people look forward to and for which they work hard beforehand. So that everything turns out perfectly to achieve the ideal costume.
Carnival days represent one of the most beloved festivities for Brazilians, but they are not the only ones. Although with different styles, countries such as Switzerland, Mexico, France and Canada, among others, also celebrate the colourful carnival. Not to mention the many tourists who travel to these countries for this unique experience.
How and where did carnival days originate?
The word Carnival has its origin in the Latin carnis levale, which translates as “to remove the meat”. This, contrary to what many may think, refers to its religious origin. Why? Well, because history says that, “removing the meat” referred to the fasting that had to be done during the Lenten period.
Yet, it is true to say that the Carnival days are also influenced by other festivals that existed in the past. This is the case with the bacchanalia and Dionysian festivals of the Greeks. These were great celebrations where pleasure, fun and fraternity were the main objectives. In which they gathered mainly to feast, eat, drink and have sex.
So from there arises and influences that great relationship between food, alcohol and sexuality to pleasure and fun. And this is something that extends, in a certain way, to today’s carnival days.
As an example, one more custom from ancient times that has also had a remarkable influence is to make a celebration last for days, with plenty of food, drink, dancing and joy.
It is also worth mentioning the evolution in the way the festival is celebrated. In the old carnival there was a reversal of social roles. In this way, people played with the fantasy of being someone different from what they were. Some literature mentions that slaves, for example, used to disguise themselves as their masters.
And this is one of the most interesting things to observe on carnival days. Even today, no matter what colour, belief or social class, at the time of this celebration all people are the same.
The Brazilian Carnival days
Although it has already been mentioned that carnival days represent a worldwide festival, it is also true that the world epicentre of the celebration is in Brazil. The celebration was originally brought to the South American country by the Portuguese.
The festival, which began as a simple joke, is now one of the country’s biggest economic drivers. It attracts millions of locals and tourists to the streets of Brazil to celebrate.
During the party days, a lot of dancing, live shows, masked balls, confetti and glitter happen all over Brazil. But while celebrations take place all over the country, the best known and most popular ones are in the cities of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Recife and Salvador. Each with its own local traditions, but all sharing the same spirit: carnival and joy!
Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo also host samba school parades. In these, the festeros (festival-goers) appear on their floats, with an incredible variety of lights, sounds, samba and good humour to tell the story of a theme. The schools compete against each other to win the carnival prize.
But does anything go on carnival days?
For some, carnival days are the perfect time of year to explore sexuality. With so much freedom of expression, lightness and sensuality. Carnival invites people to celebrate life, their bodies and to let their imaginations run wild, being able to be whatever or however they want and free from judgement of others.
And that’s where the question arises for many, so does anything go on carnival days? Because it is true that everyone wants to have fun, to bring out their inner artist, to have a good time and to experience the magical meaning of this festival: the costume. One that, at the same time, can be the representation of one’s true desires. Like a public role play in which everyone has their own character to interpret.
During the festivity, it is worthwhile to dance a lot, to sing, to use many colours and decorations. It is important to use very different, eye-catching make-up, to change identity, gender or hair colour. Each person can choose what they want to do!
Taking the opportunity to dance until the feet hurt, to get excited about local traditions, to eat lots of typical food… These are special days to appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of all the costumes that circulate in the streets.
And why not, also enjoy the festival in a more relaxed way. In a balcony or in a VIP area with just friends or with whomever one wishes. Also, it is possible to watch the parades from the comfort of one’ s own home, or have a marathon of carnival films to learn a little more about the history of the festival.
Enjoy it with a partner, a lover, a friend with benefits. Have fun with friends, alone or make lots of other friends in the street… It is of course possible! Anything goes to make the most of this great celebration and fill it with joy and good vibes.