BRASIL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3mYDwRTALo

Rio de Janeiro is the mother of all carnaval celebrations around the world. More than twelve escola de sambas, or samba schools, compete in categories of costumes, dance, and percussion. Escola de sambas include the floats, costumes, dancers, and musicians. They are also known as samba schools because the first escola de samba practiced in a grade school. The parades in Rio are known as bandas, with more than 10,000 participants per parade, the bandas go around most of Rio de Janeiro's neighborhoods.

In Brazil, the celebration is supposed to go on from the Saturday before Mardi Gras until Mardi Gras Day, but in some Brazilian cities the celebration can last seven or eight days. Just like New Orleans, not many important things are decided in Brazil from New Year's Day to Mardi Gras Day because they are preparing for or celebrating Carnaval (Portuguese for Carnival). Most Brazilian parades have a theme, or enredo, which could be political, historical, or a tribute to someone. The parades had to have a theme that related to Brazil until 1996. Some cities in Brazil do not have a street Carnaval but they might have an indoor ball.