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Sunday, July 6, 2008

Carnival Celebrated With Blood, Mud & Glitter

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Carnival Celebrated With Blood, Mud & Glitter

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Parati, Brazil, February 2, 2008—A man sporting a gaping shark jaw ''hat'' takes part in the Bloco da Lama samba group mud parade on Jabaquara beach in Rio de Janeiro.

The mud-covered revelers were among millions who donned colorful costumes or hit the streets to party during the city's annual five-day Carnival bash.

The Portuguese brought the concept of Carnival to Rio around 1850. Over the years European traditions have melded with African and native Brazilian cultures, producing the unique costumes and parties seen today.

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—Photograph by Dado Galdieri/AP