It's Almost Time for Brazil Carnaval 2010

Brazilian model Luiza Brunet dance during a Imperatriz Leopoldinense samba school rehearsal for the 2010 carnival on Marques de Sapucai avenue.

A member of the Uniao da Ilha samba school, which this year pays tribute to 'Don Quixote of La Mancha', works on a float dedicated to Spanish writer Miguel Cervantes.

Members of the Vila Isabel samba school practice at Samba City in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

picture source:gettyimages

It's that time of year again Carnaval Time in Brazil here are some pictures from samba school rehearsals and float preparations .


"The Carnival of Brazil, properly spelled "Carnaval" in Portuguese, is an annual festival in Brazil held forty days before Easter. "


"This carnival is heavily influenced by African-Brazilian culture. Crownds follow the trio elétricos floats through the city streets. Also in northeast, Olinda carnival features unique characteristics, part influenced by Venice Carnival mixed with cultural despections of local folklore."


"Modern Brazilian Carnival originated in Rio de Janeiro in 1641, 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, later absorbing and creolizing elements derived from Native American and African cultures."


"By the 1970s, four main types of carnival groups developed in Bahia: Afoxês, Trios Elétricos, "Amerindian" groups, and Blocos Afros. Afoxês use the rhythms of the African inspired religion, Candomblé. They also worship the gods of Candomblé, called orixás. An Electric Trio is characterized by a truck equipped with giant speakers and a platform where musicians play songs of local genres such as axé. "


Click here to view full history of Carnaval in Brazil