Followers of Afro-Brazilian religions performed a colorful purification ritual at Rio de Janeiro's Sambadrome on Saturday, a week before the official start of Carnival.
Dressed in traditional white clothing, practitioners of Umbanda and Candomblé danced along the avenue, sweeping the ground with brooms made from rue, a plant renowned for its purifying properties. Priest Alexandre Fernandes, of the Afro-Brazilian religion, explained that the purpose of the ceremony was to "prevent evil."
"Our intention is to have peace during Carnival, for everyone to be joyful and happy, and to invite our ancestors to protect us during this time." Religious women from the state of Bahia, from all the samba schools and dressed in traditional Afro-Brazilian costumes, also took part in the ritual, alongside flag-bearing couples and elder members of the schools.
The best samba schools in Rio de Janeiro are due to parade at the Sambadrome Marquis de Sapucaí in Rio de Janeiro on February 16, 17 and 18.
