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The Carnival Festival

The Carnival is a festival that happens over a few days, usually just
before Lent, in February or March. Because traditionally many people go
on a fast during Lent, giving up meat, sugar or other foods and drink,
carnival is an opportunity to enjoy these treats for the last time. It is a time
to celebrate and party, with music and dancing in the streets. Some people
believe that carnival is actually older than the Christian period of Lent, and
that it started as the Roman festival of Saturnalia.
The Carnival is an annual festival celebrated in many different ways
in many countries around the world. Some of the world's most famous
carnivals are held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, New Orleans, USA, and
Venice, Italy.
The Carnival is celebrated in Brazil every year, 46 days before the
Easter festival. Carnival is derived from the word carne levare, which
literally translates to "removal of meat". The roots of the festival are
believed to be in the tradition of Roman Catholics when they abstained
from meat and alcohol on certain days as a method to drive away bad
things from their life.
The Carnival in Brazil as we know it today is believed to have
originated during the European dominated era. Back then, followers of the
Roman Catholic Church would indulge in last day of dance, fun, alcohol
and sex just before the start of Lent, which is a period of abstinence from
alcohol and other sins. Back then, people would exchange clothes and
indulge in wild dancing, and it also sometimes coincided with exchange of
slaves.
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Carnivals are celebrated in many countries but the one in Brazil is

most famous. Different cities of Brazil have their own way of celebrating
this week long festival of revelry and fun. However, the most famous
carnival is that of Rio de Janeiro. Thousands of people throng the
Sambodromo stadium in the city. Often wearing masks and colorful
costumes, they dance to the beats of drums and music, Samba being the
most prevalent form of dancing here.
A major parade with beautifully dressed samba dancers atop a
decorated moving vehicle goes through the stadium as hundreds of people
keep joining the parade as the parade makes its way.
Another city which is famous for its Carnival in Brazil is Salvador
de Bahia. The original capital in Brazil, carnival is celebrated a little
differently here. Street carnival is celebrated in this city rather than having
a stadium as a venue for the parade. Thousands of people throng the streets
from early dawn and dance their way through the city till late evenings.
Carnival in Salvador also lasts a little longer than in Rio.
Carnival in Brazil is a major holiday when people shut shops and
come out on the streets to celebrate life. The festival is organized by
various samba schools in the country which are also involved in various
community services. Even people with two left feet can be seen enjoying
this festival in its full splendor.

From: https://www.calendarlabs.com/holidays/brazil/carnival.php;
Retrieved on 30/08/2020
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