Carnival in Rio de Janeiro

[whitestokes]

I was reading my Travel Naturally magazine the other day and came across a short article in the back called Rio Promenade. The brief article was about the Rio de Janeiro Carnival festival, that also showed a photo of a very beautiful woman, who starts off the carnival parade procession, only adorned in bodypaint and feathers.
Well least to say, the short article didn't explain much in detail about the carnival parade or who this lady was and why she does it. So I decided to search the internet to find out more on the subject and I found some really interesting stuff, on the carnival and who the woman is. Her name is Valeria Valenssa and doing the time of the carnival festivities (which is in February), she is a very famous person. From what I have learn so far, to get the parade to start off with a "BANG", she begins the procession and have done so, for many years.



As the. Travel Naturally article mention, only dress in bodypaint and feathers, Valeria Valenssa dances repeatedly down the streets, with the parade behind her. But throughout the parade procession I found out, that she is not the only one adorned only in bodypaint and feathers. Their are many others (men and women), who are almost completely naked, dancing in the parade as well.

I personally think this is pretty amazing in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where nudity is excepted by the people of that city, doing the time of Carnival. My question to all you topic readers is, did anyone else read this article or know any informatiom about it?



A video clip of Musas Queen Valeria Valenssa

Carnaval Rio de Janeiro
Uploaded by bigwillw2k

A video clip of other Musas dancers as well.

whitestokes.

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[whitestokes]

I was reading my Travel Naturally magazine the other day and came across a short article in the back called Rio Promenade. The brief article was about the Rio de Janeiro Carnival festival, that also showed a photo of a very beautiful woman, who starts off the carnival parade procession, only adorned in bodypaint and feathers.
Well least to say, the short article didn't explain much in detail about the carnival parade or who this lady was and why she does it. So I decided to search the internet to find out more on the subject and I found some really interesting stuff, on the carnival and who the woman is. Her name is Valeria Valenssa and doing the time of the carnival festivities (which is in February), she is a very famous person. From what I have learn so far, to get the parade to start off with a "BANG", she begins the procession and have done so, for many years.

As the .Travel Naturally article mention, only dress in bodypaint and feathers, Valeria Valenssa dances repeatedly down the streets, with the parade behind her. But throughout the parade procession I found out, that she is not the only one adorned only in bodypaint and feathers. Their are many others (men and women), who are almost completely naked, dancing in the parade as well.

I personally think this is pretty amazing in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where nudity is excepted by the people of that city, doing the time of Carnival. My question to all you topic readers is, did anyone else read this article or know any informatiom about it?

whitestokes.

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[barbararuth]

I did not see the article.. but how cool is that! Walking down the street adorned in body paint and feathers! And she sure has a beautiful smile on her face doesn't she? I understand that lots of women do the same during Fantasy Fest in Key West that takes place in October each year. Got to check that out..it's far closer to visit than Rio.

[orleans13]

that happens All the time at mardi gras.....

[whitestokes]

quote:

Originally posted by barbararuth:
I did not see the article.. but how cool is that! Walking down the street adorned in body paint and feathers! And she sure has a beautiful smile on her face doesn't she? I understand that lots of women do the same during Fantasy Fest in Key West that takes place in October each year. Got to check that out..it's far closer to visit than Rio.

barbararuth that's the same thing I said, when I reseach the article from Travel Naturally magazine, that it was cool too. But unlike Fantasy Fest in Key west, and Mardi Gras in Orleans, the people in the Rio de Janeiro carnival are more revealing with nudity. If I have to compare the Rio carnival with another events, the only comparison would be the Bay to Breakers in San Francisco or the Running of the Nudes in Spain. Oh yeah, also the World Naked Bike Ride, that's a good one too.

whitetokes

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[Caipora]

Venessa works for the largest TV network, Globo. Her husband, Hans Donner, is responsible for the network's visual styling or somesuch. I think he's the ugly bald guy in the pictures with her.

The carnaval parade is a competitive event; various "samba schools" are rated by judges, and there are different divisions. Being champion is an honor; the highest one or two schools in each division move up every year, while the lowest move down.

There are regulations barring total nudity. You get fined points, and a few points can make a big difference. The schools are traditionally financed by the illegal numbers bankers, and as usual one form of sin (gambling) attemps to show its morality by banning another (sex).

Until recently only Rio banned nudity. Here in the big city it was allowed, but the freedom never exploited. I was recently told the regulation now ban it here too, but am not entirely sure on that.

You get wilder (and smaller) costumes at carnaval balls than at the parade.

For some reason, while Carnaval costumes are small, hats are big. Very big. I have no theory on why.

- Caipora

[whitestokes]

quote:

Originally posted by Caipora:
Venessa works for the largest TV network, Globo. Her husband, Hans Donner, is responsible for the network's visual styling or somesuch. I think he's the ugly bald guy in the pictures with her.

The carnaval parade is a competitive event; various "samba schools" are rated by judges, and there are different divisions. Being champion is an honor; the highest one or two schools in each division move up every year, while the lowest move down.

There are regulations barring total nudity. You get fined points, and a few points can make a big difference. The schools are traditionally financed by the illegal numbers bankers, and as usual one form of sin (gambling) attemps to show its morality by banning another (sex).

Until recently only Rio banned nudity. Here in the big city it was allowed, but the freedom never exploited. I was recently told the regulation now ban it here too, but am not entirely sure on that.

You get wilder (and smaller) costumes at carnaval balls than at the parade.

For some reason, while Carnaval costumes are small, hats are big. Very big. I have no theory on why.

- Caipora

From what I have learned about the Carnival in Rio, everything that you mention Caipora, is pretty much what I have pick up, especially about the nudity aspect. In my search to find out more info on this event, I came across this website here Carnival Overdressed or Naked, that mention what you said and how the limits of nudity in the carnival have been extremly push.

In the website that I have posted above, it seem like the only thing that can not be expose is one's genitals. So I guess I should say, they ware bodypaint, some feathers and a small piece of adhesive tape, that cover one's genitals. The funny thing about all this is, some of the stuff that they uses to cover their genital, looks like an athletes cup.


Rio Carnival Attires - Click here for another funny movie.

However, the fact of the matter is, when will the carnival in Rio get push to complete nudity, something like Bay to Breakers and the rest of them, where complete nudity is excepted. To me, from what I have learn it's just right around the corner.

whitestokes.

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[whitestokes]

quote:

Originally posted by barbararuth:
I did not see the article.. but how cool is that! Walking down the street adorned in body paint and feathers! And she sure has a beautiful smile on her face doesn't she? I understand that lots of women do the same during Fantasy Fest in Key West that takes place in October each year. Got to check that out..it's far closer to visit than Rio.

barbararuth, I have been looking into the Fantasy Fest, down in the Florida Keys and you are kind of right. Some of the people who attend the event are kind of like the carnival in Rio de Janeiro, just without the feathers.



The only difference I see between the two events, is that the people at Fantasy Fest have not advance to waring small pieces of adhesive tape over their private areas, like the Rio carnival. It seem like, most of the people there at Fantasy Fest, are not trying to push it that far. But I really don't know and if someone can please correct me on this. Wouldn't these events from Bay to Breakers, Running of the Nudes, World Naked Bike Ride and even Fantasy Fest and Rio carnival, will all be exhibitionists events?

Just a thought,
whitestokes.

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[DoctorSurferDude]

Exhibitionist events? Technically....yes.

But I think there's a lot of culture and celebration in it. It's not like they are doing this alone and on a regular basis....it's a pre-scheduled event and it's kind of a gap in opression where they can celebrate the freedom of shedding some clothes.

I guess since lots of people show up to watch it's exhibitionistic.....but, I bet if nobody showed up to watch some would still celebrate the same way.

[Fresh Air]

I agree that it's a bit exhibitionistic too. I don't think it is just about sexual exhibition though. Comparing Key West to Rio, they seem proportional. From what I know, the people in the Rio pictures are pretty much wearing only slightly less than what might be found on a beach there. Skin seems to be more acceptable there.

I think there are aspects of artistic, emotional, and cultural exhibition though. Perhaps some forms of exhibition our culture wouldn't quite understand also.

One thing I found curious is that both Key West and Rio have higher rates of AIDS than average. Hmmm...maybe there is some kind of reflection of sexuality in it. I don't think it's a "sexual" event of exhibitionism itself, however. Though, some people might view it as that; and some people might even participate in it because of that.

Dan

[whitestokes]

Ok! That's what I thought, that it is exhibitionistic. But I also learned that, there are a lot of children at the carnival in Rio, watching the parade go by. It seem like a lot of people bring there kids, to the carnival and seem be having a good time. That is totally different from Fantasy Fest and Mardi Gras, and especially when it get's dark.
So I guess the next generation in Rio, is going to be even move revealing and throw away those adhesive tape over their pirvate areas?

whitestokes.
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[richinoregon]

Where did you get all these beautiful pictures?

[DoctorSurferDude]

They are also wearing paint....which technically means they are not naked at all


Exhibitionism is kind of a tricky thing to totally put into a box. Obviously a man in a trench coat who flashes people as they drive by and then goes home and fantasizes about it is an exhibitionist. But disregarding clothing...what about a woman who wears a dress she knows brings her attention. What about a guy who works out and decides to leave his shirt off on a walk cause he's feeling diesel today. Are ballet dancers exhibitionists if they are not wearing their too-too....are these women of carnival exhibitionists because they are choosen to represent a part of their heritage?

It's a different country....different viewpoints. Thongs are the norm, and even the men don't wear much on the beach. This only seems a small step beyond what is already considred normal there. Brazilians just seem more comfortable with skin.

Those outfits in the USA (fantasy fest) is a whole different arena, and probably more exhibitionistic. Motivations are all re-arranged.

[Fresh Air]

I wonder if it's all like this. Anyhow, it's not as intimate as photos might portray.




I guess this is sort of how we do it up in America.

[whitestokes]

quote:

Originally posted by richinoregon:
Where did you get all these beautiful pictures?

Well, to answer your question richinoregon, the only thing I can say is I "Google It!" It's pretty amazing on what kind of information and pics one can get from an internet search engine.


Anyway, as for my input on the exhibitionism at Rio carnival, I personally think that it's a growing progression of the acceptance of nudity. I guess the next step for this event, is a out right nudity, where the adhesive tape comes off. Because when you really think about it, how nude are they, if they're genitals are cover up with a piece of tape.

If I had to compare the carnival in Rio, let's say with the Bay to Breakers in San Francisco, the carnival is far behind and still have a little bit more to go. It seem like the people, city and the law in San Francisco are more acceptable then Rio.

Carnival in Rio:


Compare to
Bay to Breakers:


whitestokes.

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