People across Brazil are celebrating Carnival between February and March, and one of the biggest events is happening right now in Rio de Janeiro. In Rio, millions of people join colourful parades and street parties filled with samba music, bright costumes, and lots of food. Carnival takes place just before Lent, a 40-day Christian period leading up to Easter, when some people choose to give up treats like sweets or chocolate. Because Lent is meant to be a time of restraint, Carnival became a final, joyful celebration beforehand.
But in the southern Brazilian area of Paraty, Carnival looks very different. Instead of glitter and sequins, people cover themselves from head to toe in thick, squishy mud. This muddy celebration is called Bloco da Lama, which means “Mud Block” or “Mud Group”.
Hundreds of people meet at Jabaquara Beach and roll around in mud until they are completely coated. After that, they decorate themselves with leaves and twigs, almost like they are turning into forest creatures. Then they march through the streets together before returning to the beach for a big party.
The muddy tradition began in 1986 when a group of teenagers wanted a unique way to celebrate Carnival. They grabbed mud from a swamp near the beach and walked through the town centre to make people laugh. The idea was such a hit that they repeated it the next year, and it became a tradition.
WHY DO THEY MAKE THEM SO EXPENSIVE JUST GET THE BATTERY CHIKENS AND PUT THEM IN THE WILD!