Guyanese Online

Less skin, more God and no racism: How Brazil’s left and right want to change Carnaval

Brazil – Carnaval

By Shannon Sims  – February 11, 2017. Washington Post

You’ve seen the images of Brazilian Carnaval. A sea of people in the streets, oiled-up women samba-dancing at lightning speed and packs of trumpets, trombones and drums blasting out singalong songs. But this year, the annual tradition of full-throttle lascivious indulgence is showing signs of change as well.

Brazil’s increasingly powerful evangelical church and its progressive movements are both pushing to refine Carnaval to match their often opposing priorities. As a sign of the times, the Brazilian city of Olinda, famous for its street festival, has two new additions this Carnaval: a “Gospel zone” and an “LGBT zone.”

The changes are perhaps most evident in this year’s controversy over the glitter-coated woman who dances across Brazilian TV screens this time of year.    Continue reading →