Our World

New Orleans is Not Alone

Mardi Gras is not the only celebration that takes place before Lent begins. In Brazil, they have a carnival in Rio de Janeiro. This carnival took place in the Sambadrome stadium that hosted over 200,000 people. There are themed “samba” troupes that put on a show over three days. The performers wear colorful costumes that are known for being seductive. For example, many women used glitter and glue to cover-up in replace of the heavy, 20-pound costumes of the yesteryears (although tall and heavy headdresses are still worn).

Apparently, the Sambadrome cannot equip 200,000 people with accessible bathrooms, and so women were offered "feminine urinary conductors”, cups that they could pee in while standing up. In the streets, people could buy plastic sheeting for privacy, and for a fine of fifty cents.

However, some of the troupes had political implications in their themes. Troupes sang about the designer of the Sambradome, the Brazilian President, and tributes to the Sao Francisco River (which is going under an irrigation dispute).

The champion of the celebration was crowned today; the winner was the Vila Isabel troupe that had been funded by Venezuela’s state oil company.

posted by Anonymous @ 3/01/2006 06:19:00 PM