Rio Samba Parade

The samba parade held to celebrate the Rio Carnival is undoubtedly the biggest attraction on earth, with visitors from around the world flocking to Rio for a week of dancing, singing and partying. To vibe with the rhythm of the samba, the only place to be is the Rio Carnival. In all likelihood, the quest to experience the Carnival once could turn out to be an annual habit for any tourist.

The Carnival is the best time to experience the best of Brazilian culture, for this is one occasion that truly sums up the carioca way of life. Since 1984, the parade is held at the Sambadrome where twelve of the top samba schools vie for the prestigious championship title every year. 

Choreography at its best

Each samba school presents a theme which is portrayed by a team of musicians, samba dancers, and well-decorated floats. Months of preparation are put in by the samba schools who mobilize the support of thousands of locals from their communities. At the forefront of the preparations is the Carnvalesco or Carnival Director who sets the theme and organizes practically everything required for the parade right from the costume designs, decorations, theme song and much more.

The samba schools start planning their program next year as soon as this year’s Carnival is over. Musicians, architects, fashion designers, and choreographers work throughout the year to present 70 minutes minimum up to 80 minutes maximum of mind-blowing samba mania. Each artist puts forth his or her best effort to ensure their samba school’s show will be the most amazing of all. 

Carnivals top samba schools

Unlike Rio’s famous street parties, the samba parade is a highly orchestrated event with each individual having a particular role to play according to the school’s theme. On Sunday, Monday and Tuesday the 12 top samba schools that include Beija-Flor, Mocidade, Salgueiro, Portela, Unidos da Tijuca, and Mangueira, among others. The number of points a samba school earns during the Sambadrome competition determines its place in next year’s competition. Those with fewer points compete in the lower groups and those with higher points strut their stuff in the elite group.

Alas or Wings – Ground Level Entertainment

For the samba parade, each school is divided into sections called ‘alas’ or wings, with each wing consisting of 100 members or more wearing the same costume. In some samba schools, each wing will choreograph their own dance that they practice for months prior to the Carnival. While the dance does contribute to the overall score, the dancers must be upbeat, and happy and sing their samba school song throughout the parade.

Each wing has a specific role to play according to the school’s theme. In between these wings are the floats that separate each section. To get the attention of the judges, the floats are designed with special effects. Two of the more spectacular floats have been a fire-breathing dragon and a metal eagle that soared along the parade route flapping his wings.

The elaborately decorated floats are pushed by men while others are motorized. You will find a group of mesmerizing samba dancers along with special guests atop these floats. Many celebrities lend their support to samba schools so don’t be surprised to find some of your favorite stars taking part in the parade. Many of the star performers who ride the floats have to pay for their own costumes and they can cost a fortune. In some situations, the samba school will absorb the cost. One of the highest honors a samba school member can receive is a place on the float.   

The Flag Bearer and her Escort

The first couple to come dancing down the parade strip carrying the school’s flag is the Porta Bandeira and Mestre Sala. While the lady moves along with the flag her escort dances gracefully around her. Most schools have several flag bearers, however, the first one is the most important in the eyes of the judges. 

 

Baianas - Whirling Ladies

The Baianas are a group of older women that represents the soul of the samba schools, which are their African roots. These much-respected women put up a spectacular presentation of the samba in their traditional Bahia costumes, earning plenty of applause from the spectators. Unfortunately, spectators cannot purchase costumes and join these ladies in their samba performance.

This wing is dedicated exclusively to those women who have toiled for many years preparing their samba school for Carnival after Carnival. It is a way for the younger generations to show their appreciation for all the love and support these wonderful ladies have given to their samba school. 

 

Queen of the Drummers and the Bateria

At the very heart of the samba parade are the bateria or drummers that provide the much-needed energy for the samba dancers. The echoes of the drum beat with the Sambadrome are enough to keep even the spectators dancing all night long. Becoming a drummer requires extreme discipline and training. Innovation has infused the drumbeat with rhythms such as Brazilian Funk. And while these different beats do please the audience, the rhythm of the samba is the most important element to echo from these drums.

They are led by a beautiful female samba dancer, the Queen of the Drummers, who introduces the drummers to the crowd, motivating them all the way down the samba strip. Lucky is the lady who is selected to be Queen of the Drummers for her samba school. It is not unusual for a popular celebrity to be tasked with this role. However, even the celebrity is expected to take her part seriously and attend all rehearsals. She must captivate her audience during the Carnival and win their support.

The baterias of samba schools are so famous in Rio de Janeiro that during the year when there are not in Carnival, they play in ceremonies, celebrations, and parties around town. 

Passistas – Carnival’s leading samba dancers

Of course, no parade can be bereft of the Passistas or samba dancers that dance the entire length of the samba strip. This group of 15-20 dancers is chosen through a competition each year and has the honor of representing their samba school. Well-known lead vocalists and a group of fellow vocalists do justice to the samba songs that are composed for especially for the parade.  

They are usually on the sound truck behind the percussionists or find their way marching along with the school down the runway. One of the most important elements in the samba school parade is the rhythm and the lyrics of the theme song. The song must energize the dancers and the audience generating an intense desire to dance. The song must be related to the chosen theme and this theme should also be represented in the costumes, floats, and wings.

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