Baianas Wing – “Ala

das Baianas” at the

Brazilian Carnaval

Above, an impressive shot by Agencia FOTO BR´s team, from a

typical Baiana from Unidos da Tijuca 2010 parade.

by Andre Skowronski from www.brazilcarnival.com.br

Rio de Janeiro, June 30th 2010

The mythical Baianas are one of the most known characters of the

Brazilian Carnaval and surely represent the utmost samba tradition and authenticity (aside with the Flag-Bearers and Samba-hosts).

Foreigners and Brazilians simply fall under a spell when they „float‟

through the Sambadrome´s runaway.

Some of the Baianas, having more than 90 years old, still show plenty of vigor and charisma, as they are reverenced by public and

samba-school members themselves.

The Baianas are respected not only by their age and costume

distinctness, but principally because of the ritualistic folklore they symbolize. In this section of BrazilCarnival.com.br, we will briefly

describe the unmistakable element of the „Baianas‟ at the Brazilian Carnival culture.

Below, an amazing photo of a Baiana from Alexandre Vidal / Foto BR Agency. All of the vigor of the Carnival Baiana was captured.

Photo Credit: Agencia FOTO BR

Carnival historians note the origins of the Baianas are dated before the samba-schools existed. They probably came from days Brazil

was still a colony from Portugal, when the “Taieiras”, black women

dressed up as Baianas, formed a special guard in honor in the Nossa

Senhora do Rosário and Saint Benedict (King‟s Day - January 6th) processions.

Moving to Carnaval in Rio, when the Samba-Schools were organized in the late 1920´s, the Baianas were introduced because of their

profane-religious character, and thus became „mandatory elements‟. They provided the incipient samba-schools a kind of spiritual-religious

blessing.

Below, the energy and pride of a Baiana wing member, swirling with

a richly produced characteristic costume.

At the photo above by Agencia FOTO BR, we can see the magical dance of the

Baianas: Credits: Alexandre Vidal, Ari Versiani, Fernando Azevedo, Levy Ribeiro, Luiz

Alvarenga.

Slowly, the Baianas figure gained more and more respect and authority by Samba-School directors. According to testimonials

of Caetano, Tia Vicentina, and Doralice, three elders from traditional Portela Samba-School, the Baianas „formed voice

choirs and had influence in the choice of the best sambas that would be sung in the rehearsal courts‟. Isnard and Candeia

(authors of the book called Escola de Samba) also point into

this direction: “Paulo da Portela (one of the founders of Portela Samba-School - all time winner of Rio de Janeiro Carnaval

contests) listened to the Baianas choir before defining the sambas to be sung in the parades”. Again, the Baianas

represented not only the image of respect, but of wisdom too.

Still on the origins of this quintessential element of the Brazilian Carnaval, we could find historical notations in

Brazilian Literature. Manuel Antônio de Almeida, a great

Brazilian author of the 19th century, described in his book „Memoirs of a Militia Sergeant‟, the presence of the Baianas in

religious festivals in 1930´s :

“corporation present in several processions, which used to go on the parade as a big group, and walked ahead the

procession, attracting more, or as the saints, the stands, the sacred signs, the devotees eyes… black women

dressed as the women from the province of Bahia and who danced in the intervals of the “Deo-gratias”, a special

and extravagant dance.”

Above, tia (aunt) Ciata and Tia ( Aunt ) JoSefa , two of the first Carnival Baianas and samba promoters in Rio. These elderly Baianas

were respected and organized musical soirees in the early 1900´s.

The first samba music was recorded at her house.

Moving up at the time-scale, at the early days of the carnaval in Rio do Janeiro, Baianas were also present. Ironically or not, the Baianas

where in reality men dressed up in „Baianas-style costumes‟ at the samba schools. There was a reason for this, protection: The

„Baianas-men‟ were lined up on the sideways of the parades, and had to defend the school from the violence suffered when rival groups

met. The Baianas-men brought razors attached to their legs, under their costumes, and defend themselves, as well as the samba-

school.

Later, as parades became less marginal and gained minimum of

stability, such „Baianas-de-linha‟ were replaced by ropes for the samba-school´s protection. When Baianas were no longer queued on

the sideways of the parade, an exclusive wing was created for them and they continued to participate thereafter at the parades.

Agencia FOTO BR - Protected by Law

Today, the Baianas wings are exclusively composed of women, and there is a specific regulation for their “parading performance” during

the official Rio and São Paulo carnaval contests. The Baianas wings are not judged separately, but have mandatory presence at the

official contest. Now let us take a look of some of today‟s distinguishing attributes and characteristics:

• Their movement is made of out of spins, being more constant or

with intervals, depending on the stimulus and the choreography rehearsed by them or by the responsible wing director. There are

several kinds of choreographies specific for their wing, like: “Zigzag”

(constant evolution by the school), “movement in column” by a compact group, as “side movement” by the school, “side change”,

with constant spins.

Below the traditional Baianas´wing from Mangueira Samba-School with their

characteristic zig-zag 'dance' at Rio´s Sambadrome.

Photo Credit: Agencia FOTO BR

• The Baianas in general have no fix position, although they must

advance through the runway always in block, compact formation.

• The Baianas costumes are typical, have a class of its own, and do not need to be linked to theme. They may be made in the colors

of the school, or not. Their costumes resembles early 20th century “samba aunts”

• They first registered appearance in carnaval parade happened in

1930, as way to pay homage to the “old aunts”, who pioneered

samba singing during its prohibition days.

• During the 1940´s and 1950´s, the presence of men at the Baianas wing was widespread. Only in 1990, the Carnaval League

that manages the official carnaval contest in Rio de Janeiro, decide

to ban this practice.

• The Carnaval League that runs the parade today is studying to include a specific judging criterion for the Baianas section.

Below, another moment of pure emotion, the tears in the eyes of the Baiana at Rio´s Sambadrome: Can´t get better than this!

Photo Credit: Agencia FOTO BR