Rio carnival: Outlaw theme clinches title for samba school

23 February 2023

Rio Carnival

Revellers from Imperatriz Leopoldinense samba school perform during the second night of the carnival parade at the Sambadrome, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil February 21, 2023. — Image caption,
A huge gold-coloured statue of Lampião dominated the Imperatriz Leopoldinense float

Rio's hotly contested carnival parade has been won by the Imperatriz Leopoldinense samba school with its tribute to a Brazilian outlaw from the early 20th Century which many compare to Robin Hood.

Captain Virgulino Ferreira, better known as Lampião, is a controversial figure. Considered a folk hero by some, others say he was a mere bandit.

Members of the Imperatriz Leopoldinense samba school perform during a parade at Avenida Marques de Sapucai in the Sambadrome, during the Rio de Janeiro Carnival, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 20 February 2023.

EPA

Members of the samba school donned leather hats similar to that worn by Lampião

Born at the end of the 19th Century, Lampião grew up in Brazil's rural northeast. After a dispute with a powerful landholder. his family fell on hard times and Lampião and some of his brothers joined a group of local outlaws.

Gangs of bandits like the one led by Lampião roamed the countryside of Brazil's northeast, looting and stealing.

They also demanded protection money from landowners in exchange for not targeting their properties.

While they had the support of some locals who saw them as attacking the vast inequalities between the rich and the poor in this region of Brazil, they were hunted by those whom they terrorised.

EPA

Toy rifles were part of the props carried by the dancers

Some of the floats were decorated with huge skulls and made to looks like scenes from hell, with dancers dressed as devils in a nod to the legend that Lampião ended up in hell after his life of crime.

EPA

Skeletons and ghouls gave the parade a macabre tone

A reveller from Imperatriz Leopoldinense samba school performs during the second night of the carnival parade at the Sambadrome, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil February 21, 2023.

Reuters

Some revellers donned glasses to imitate the bespectacled bandit.

A member of the Imperatriz Leopoldinense samba school perform during a parade at Avenida Marques de Sapucai in the Sambadrome, during the Rio de Janeiro Carnival, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 20 February 2023.

EPA

Lampião wore glasses and many dancers copied his look

While carnival costumes are often rich in sequins and bold colours, Imperatriz Leopoldinense's costumes featured the earthy tones of Brazil's northeast, the home of Lampião and his outlaws.