PHOTOS FROM BRAZILIAN CARNIVAL: COLORFUL AND REVEALING

The Brazilian Carnival is an annual celebration in Brazil held 40 days before Easter and marking the start of Lent. The modern Brazilian Carnival finds its roots in Rio de Janeiro in the 1830's, when the city’s bourgeoisie imported the practice of holding balls and masquerade parties from Paris. It originally mimicked the European form of the festival, over time acquiring elements derived from African and Amerindian cultures. The Carnival which is a six day party is the most famous holiday in Brazil and has become an event of huge proportions. Except the industries, malls and the carnival related workers, the country stops completely for almost a week and festivities are intense, day and night, mainly in coastal cities