Travel & Places Brazil

Olinda Carnival: Bloco do Berimbau

Bloco do Berimbau, founded in 2002, is the world's first bloco (Carnival group) fully identified with capoeira and its characteristic music, played on berimbaus.

The bloco was founded by a capoeira master - Mestre Ulisses Cangaia from the capoeira group Lua de São Jorge. In 2007, when Brazil celebrated 100 years of frevo, the bloco was instrumental in highlighting the close connection between this typical Pernambuco rhythm and the steps of capoeira.

The bloco has paraded every Carnival since its creation, with about 100 berimbau players and over 300 capoeira dancers from several groups in Pernambuco and other states. The bloco forms rodas, or circles of people, just like in any capoeira games, in which bloco participants do elaborate capoeira steps. But parades are free and open to anyone who enjoys these amazing expressions of Brazil culture.

Keep up with Carnival schedules on the official Olinda Carnival website (carnaval.olinda.pe.gov.br). 


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