September 22nd, 2008
Introduction to Brazilian Samba Schools at Carnival
Samba Schools in Rio de Janeiro, are not so much schools as they are neighborhood organizations. Each school or escola de samba, works all year to create, plan and practice for their parade showing, competition and celebration called Carnaval.
Rio de Janeiro has over 100 samba schools, but only the top 12 schools belong in the “Special” group. This group is world renounced for their incredible parades, costumes, and over the top magnificence. Each of these samba schools has over on thousand participants during the carnival parade.
During Brazilian carnival, Samba Schools have their turn at presenting their parade and much complete it in about one hour to one hour and 20 minutes. Everyone in the school’s parade must know the school’s theme song (samba de enredo) by heart and sing it the entire time. If you are planning to be a part of the parade, don’t worry, you will be given the lyrics way in advanced. If you don’t speak Portuguese you just pretend you know what you are singing, dance your bunda off and smile.
