While Carnival gets the headlines, other festivals showcase Brazil's deep folklore:

Born from the Afro-Brazilian communities of Bahia and Rio in the early 20th century, Samba evolved from a persecuted, underground rhythm into the official sound of national pride. The Escolas de Samba (Samba Schools) are not just musical groups; they are massive community organizations that spend an entire year building elaborate floats, sewing sequined costumes, and writing narrative songs for the Sambadrome.