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Brazil's Muddiest Carnival: A Sludge-Covered Celebration
15 Feb
Summary
- Paraty hosts a unique Carnival tradition involving covering participants in mud.
- The mud party tradition began in 1986 with friends playing in the mangroves.
- Participants chant 'Uga! Uga!' and decorate themselves creatively.
In the colonial town of Paraty, Brazil, a unique Carnival celebration replaces traditional revelry with a mud bath. Participants enthusiastically cover themselves in gray sludge, rolling in the silty shallows of Jabaquara Beach. This tradition, which began in 1986, fosters a sense of equality, uniting all partygoers in a shared, messy experience.
The unique event originated when friends playing in the mangroves realized they were unrecognizable in the mud. They then paraded into the historic center, causing a stir. The following year, a group presented themselves as a prehistoric tribe, complete with skulls and chants, thus birthing the beloved mud party.
Visitors like New Zealander Matt Bloomfield find the event a creative and refreshing alternative to typical Carnival. Attendees adorn themselves with leaves and other natural elements, chanting "Uga! Uga!" as they march along the sand, accompanied by musicians. This event offers a distinct, engaging experience for those seeking an unconventional Carnival celebration.
