Carnival in Salvador
Baianos, the people from Bahia, are known in Brazil as those who most love parties. Almost every event is reason for a party, which should last as long as possible. Baianos do not deny this fame.
The Brazilian Carnival has strong influence from the Africans, and Salvador is the blackest Brazilian city. All the Samba schools in Rio must have a block composed only of baianas, women from Bahia. So, it is not a surprise that Salvador has one of the best Carnivals in Brazil.
With 2 million people (including 800,000 tourists), Salvador has the largest street Carnival in the world. While in Rio most of the Carnival happens in ball-rooms and in the Sambadrome (which require people to pay to participate), in Salvador most events happen in the streets and beaches, and are free for all. As a consequence, the Carnival in Salvador goes on, non-stop, for nearly 10 days. Small groups called "blocos" pop up everywhere in the city, and they are soon followed by locals and tourists.
A tradition of the Carnival in Salvador is the "trios eletricos" (electric trio). Back in 1950, 2 persons, Dodo and Osmar (who today are legends of Brazilian Carnival), put high power speakers on top of a Ford 1929 and drove around town inviting people to follow the rhythm; it was a massive success. In 1951, the electric duo was joined by Temistocles Aragao, and the 1st Trio Eletrico was formed. Ever since, several trios were formed in Bahia, with much more sound power, on top of much bigger trucks; to follow a trio eletrico.
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