The Brazilian Carnival (Portuguese: Carnaval) is an annual festival in Brazil held 40 days before Easter and marks the beginning of Lent. During Lent, Roman Catholics are supposed to abstain from all bodily pleasures, including the consumption of meat. The carnival, celebrated as a profane event and believed to have its origins in the pagan Saturnalia, can thus be considered an act of farewell to the pleasures of the flesh. Brazilian Carnival as a whole exhibits some differences with its counterparts in Europe and other parts of the world, and within Brazil it has distinct regional manifestations. Contents [hide] * 1 Rio de Janeiro * 2 Bahia * 3 Pernambuco * 4 See also * 5 External links * 6 Carnival Photos and News [edit] Rio de Janeiro It has been suggested that Rio Carnival be merged into this article or section. (Discuss) Carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro Carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro Brazilian citizens used to riot until the Carnival was...