The Ultimate Carnival Dictionary: Common Terms and Their Meanings

A

• Ala: In Brazilian carnivals, an “ala” is a group or wing within a samba school parade, with each group representing a specific theme or element of the storyline.

• Apoteose: Portuguese for “apotheosis,” often used in Brazilian carnivals to refer to the grand finale or climax of a parade, usually in a dedicated venue called the Sambadrome Apoteose.

B

• Bloco: Popular in Brazil, a “bloco” is a street party or parade organized by groups that are often neighborhood-based. Blocos can be spontaneous and have their own unique themes or costumes.

• Bouteille à la Mer: Meaning “bottle to the sea” in French, this term from the Nice Carnival in France refers to the carnival king’s symbolic farewell, where a large figure representing the king is burned at the end of the celebrations.

C

• Carro Alegórico: Portuguese for “allegorical float,” this term is used in Brazilian carnivals to describe the elaborate, decorated floats that samba schools create as part of their parades.

• Comparsa: Common in Latin American carnivals, particularly in Bolivia and Argentina, a “comparsa” is a dance troupe or group that performs together, often representing specific themes or regional folklore.

• Confetti: Small pieces of colored paper traditionally thrown into the air during carnival parades, particularly popular at European and Caribbean carnivals. Originally, confetti were small candies used during parades in Italy.

• Corozo: In some Caribbean carnivals, especially in Colombia, “corozo” refers to a traditional headpiece worn by dancers. It is often made of vibrant feathers and beads.

D

• Diablos Cojuelos: Meaning “limping devils,” this term refers to a group of devilish figures in the Dominican Republic’s Carnival. They wear colorful, scary masks and costumes to mock evil spirits.

• Drumline: Common in Caribbean and North American carnivals, a drumline is a group of percussionists who play high-energy, syncopated rhythms on various drums to accompany parade dances.

E

• Escola de Samba: Translates to “samba school” in Portuguese. Samba schools are community organizations in Brazil that create elaborate performances, featuring dancers, musicians, and floats, for Rio’s famous carnival parades.

F

• Featherwork: A term referring to the intricate feather decorations found in costumes, especially in Brazilian and Caribbean carnivals, symbolizing luxury, creativity, and color.

• Fete: Pronounced “fet,” this term is widely used in Caribbean carnivals, particularly in Trinidad and Tobago, to mean a party or gathering with music, dancing, and festive activities.

G

• Ginga: A Brazilian Portuguese term meaning “sway,” referring to the rhythmic, swaying movements typical in samba and capoeira, highlighting the fluidity and grace of dancers.

• Guggenmusik: Associated with Swiss carnivals like Basel’s Fasnacht, “guggenmusik” is a style of music performed by brass bands with off-key or experimental tones, creating a unique carnival sound.

J

• J’ouvert: Derived from the French “jour ouvert” (meaning “daybreak”), J’ouvert is the official start of many Caribbean carnivals, featuring street parties with mud, paint, and music, celebrating freedom and the beginning of festivities.

K

• King and Queen of Carnival: A tradition in many carnivals where a man and woman are selected as symbolic figures to represent the spirit of the carnival. They lead parades, often wearing elaborate costumes.

• Krewe: A term originating from New Orleans, USA, referring to the social organizations that organize parades and events for Mardi Gras. Each krewe has a theme and unique floats.

L

• Lavalier: In Louisiana’s Mardi Gras, a “lavalier” is a necklace thrown from floats during parades, often collected as part of the celebration’s traditions.

• Limbo: A dance popular in Caribbean carnivals, especially in Trinidad and Tobago, where dancers bend backward under a low bar. Limbo has become a symbol of the Caribbean’s vibrant culture.

M

• Mas: Short for “masquerade,” used primarily in Caribbean carnivals to describe the costumes, parades, and dances. “Playing mas” means dressing up in elaborate costumes and joining the festivities.

• Moko Jumbie: A stilt walker character in Caribbean carnivals, especially in Trinidad. Moko Jumbies are believed to be protective spirits watching over the parade from a height.

P

• Pan: Steel drums used in Trinidad and Tobago’s carnival, producing the unique steelpan sound that defines the music of the islands.

• Papier-Mâché: A crafting technique used in European carnivals (like those in France and Germany) to make masks, floats, and sculptures with a distinctively handcrafted look.

R

• Ragamuffin: A character style in Jamaican carnivals where participants wear old clothes or torn costumes, often with soot or paint, symbolizing rebellion and freedom.

• Rei Momo: In Brazilian and Colombian carnivals, Rei Momo (King Momo) is the King of Carnival, symbolizing joy and revelry. He is often given a symbolic key to the city to signify the start of carnival.

S

• Sambadrome: The purpose-built stadium in Rio de Janeiro where samba schools perform their grand carnival parades, showcasing floats, costumes, and coordinated dances.

• Soca: A genre of music originating in Trinidad and Tobago, blending calypso and Indian rhythms. Soca music is a driving force in Caribbean carnivals, energizing parades and fetes.

• Soca Monarch: A musical competition held during Trinidad and Tobago’s carnival, where soca artists compete for the title of the best performer of the year.

T

• Tambor: The Spanish word for “drum.” Drums are essential to many Latin American carnivals, setting the beat and rhythm for dancers and singers.

• Throwing Beads: A Mardi Gras tradition in New Orleans where parade participants on floats toss beads to spectators, who try to catch them as souvenirs.

• Tschäggättä: Unique to Swiss carnivals, particularly in the Lötschental Valley, “Tschäggättä” refers to people who dress in animal fur and wooden masks to represent spirits.

V

• Vejigante: In Puerto Rican carnivals, a vejigante is a masked character dressed in vibrant costumes. These masks and costumes often depict playful demons or mystical beings, bringing energy and tradition to the parade.

• Vieille Ville: Meaning “Old Town” in French, the term is commonly used to describe historical parts of cities like Annecy during its Venetian carnival, where medieval streets become the stage for costumes and performances.

Z

• Zé Pereira: The term for a loud, rhythmic procession that opens Portuguese carnivals. Zé Pereira often includes drumming and singing, setting the lively tone for carnival festivities.

Conclusion

These words and phrases showcase the global diversity and cultural richness found in carnival traditions. Each term reflects a unique aspect of carnival celebrations, from music and dance to costumes and customs. By understanding these terms, you can dive deeper into the carnival experience and appreciate the traditions that make each celebration unforgettable.