In a vibrant prelude to Carnival, followers of Afro-Brazilian religions performed a sweeping cleansing ritual at Rio de Janeiro’s Sambadrome on Saturday, invoking peace and ancestral protection for the festivities ahead.
Spiritual cleansing ritual by Afro-Brazilian ahead of Rio carnival
An Afro-Brazilian Baiana performs during a pre-carnival ritual to deliver luck, positive spirit, clean and bless the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.
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Bruna Prado/Copyright 2026 The AP. All rights reserved.
Dressed in traditional white, practitioners of Umbanda and Candomblé danced along the avenue, sweeping the ground with brooms made of rue, a plant believed to cleanse negative energy.
Priest Alexandre Fernandes explained the intent: to prevent evil and negativity, ensuring a peaceful and joyful Carnival under ancestral protection.
Teacher Leonardo Matos described the act as one of "purification" and "opening paths" for good energy.
A unified cultural gathering
The ceremony saw broad participation, including religious women from Bahia state, flag-bearer couples, and elderly members from all the city’s samba schools, all adorned in traditional attire.
This collective act highlighted the deep roots Afro-Brazilian culture holds within the Carnival tradition.
Clearing the path for parade
The ritual directly precedes the official competitive parades, setting a spiritual stage for Rio’s top-tier samba schools to take the iconic Sapucaí avenue on February 16th, 17th, and 18th, in what many hope will be a celebration shielded from harm and filled with positive energy.