The word Carnival is derived from the Italian word ‘Carnevale’ and Medieval Latin ‘Carne levamen’ meaning ‘put away flesh’ as during Lent when flesh eating was considered taboo.
Initially the church was against the reveling and tried to stop participation. Believers ignored the church and eventually the Carnival became accepted as an outlet to indulge in pleasure for the 4 days of the festival before observing Lent.
In 1723 immigrants from the Portuguese islands started the Entrudo. The word Entrudo could mean the ‘entry’ into Lent or the ‘intrusion’. The idea was to go out on the streets with buckets of water and limes or oranges and soak everyone, no-one was immune. Even Emperors participated in the fun. Eventually it became a nuisance and the practice was outlawed by the authorities.
The Rio Carnival first started in 1840 when the wife of the Italian ambassador to Brazil arranged…
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