Afro-Brazilian religious followers gathered at the Sambadrome on Sunday for a vibrant cleansing ritual, marking the start of preparations for Rio de Janeiro’s world-famous Carnival celebrations.
The annual ritual, now in its 15th year, is performed just one week before the official start of Carnival. Practitioners of Umbanda and Candomblé, dressed in traditional attire, danced down the avenue, sweeping the parade grounds with brooms made from rue, a plant believed to have cleansing properties.
“Enjoy Carnival! It’s the largest event and the biggest open-air celebration in the world,” said Nilce Fran, an Afro-Brazilian practitioner and coordinator at Portela Samba School. “Today is a day of blessings for Carnival.”
Women known as Baianas, wearing traditional African-Brazilian clothing, joined the parade alongside flag-bearer couples and elder members of Rio’s samba schools.
The Sambadrome, designed by renowned architect Oscar Niemeyer, was built specifically to host the massive crowds drawn to Rio’s Carnival, one of the world’s most famous celebrations.
This year, Rio’s top special group samba schools will take center stage at the Sambadrome on March 2, 3, and 4, competing in elaborate parades that highlight the cultural and artistic richness of Brazil’s most iconic festival.