WHAT IS IT? The original carnival brought over by the Portuguese had its elaborate costumes, but it really gained its energy with the input of Afro-Brazilian music and dance. Rio’s samba schools, each with its own colour scheme and theme tunes, now compete to drum out the loudest beat, put together the lashiest loats, and it the most sequins on the least amount of clothing.
PHOTOGRAPH: GIORDANO CIPRIANI/GETTY IMAGES
RIO CARNIVAL FACTS