Brazil - "Baiana"

Salvador - Bahia - Brazil
Typical "Baiana" in front of Barra's Lighthouse.

Sent by Gervasio, a postcrosser from Sao Paulo, Brazil.

"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."