PARATY, Brazil (AP) – As Carnival approaches, most revelers in Brazil are known for their vibrant, revealing outfits and the showering of glitter. However, in the colonial town of Paraty, located in the south of the country, a strikingly different custom arises: a celebration characterized by the application of mud.
Participants in Paraty's unique Carnival party immerse themselves in gray sludge, rolling around in the shallows of a beach, thus forming a cohesive and joyous mass. Charles Garcia Pessoa, a 37-year-old entrepreneur, notes, “Everyone is kind of the same... those who have money and those who don’t: everyone comes here to jump into the mud.” This sentiment captures the inclusivity and spirit of the event, allowing participants from all walks of life to unite in revelry.
Beneath the blazing sun of Brazil, mud-coated attendees dance and chant in a primitive fashion, repeatedly shouting “Uga! Uga!” as they parade along the sandy shores, accompanied by an array of musicians. The tradition, as recounted by Paraty’s tourism website, traces its origins back to 1986. It began when a group of friends decided to play in the mangroves at Jabaquara Beach and discovered that their muddy appearances rendered them unrecognizable. This spontaneity led them to stroll into the historic center of the town, where their appearance created quite a stir.
The following year, a group of revelers embraced this age-old concept more intentionally, dressing in mud to portray a prehistoric tribe during Carnival. They accessorized with skulls, vines, and bones, chanting and marching in a performance that excited onlookers. Thus, the mud party was born and has grown into a cherished local tradition in the amount of time since.
Among those drawn to this unconventional celebration is Matt Bloomfield, a New Zealander who manages a film festival. After seeing coverage of the event from the previous year, he was inspired to experience the mud party for himself. He remarked, “Everyone’s being so creative, you see people around decorating themselves with leaves. It’s a great alternate version of Carnival.” His observation underscores the creativity and liberating atmosphere that this unique event fosters among participants.
The Mud Block party, as this alluring celebration is known, stands out not just for its antics but also for the warmth of community it generates, embracing all who wish to partake in the joyful chaos. The coming together of diverse groups—voices united in song and covered in mud—creates an unforgettable experience that diverges sharply from the traditional, glitzy Carnival activities found throughout Brazil.
This annual event in Paraty thus offers a distinctive take on Carnival, providing a space for both personal expression and collective joy, transforming the beaches into a canvas of muddy camaraderie.
