| In this article, we will describe a marvelous element | | | | Porta-Bandeira (but also the Mestre-Sala); is the fact |
| within the parades and Brazilian Carnaval festivity: the | | | | she does not dance the traditional samba-dance, but |
| "Porta-bandeira", pronounced (porta bandayeera) and | | | | perform a smooth ballet-kind of choreography at the |
| translated here to Flag-Bearer. Below, you will | | | | parade. As some samba-dance experts' note: "As |
| understand why this magnetic parades figure is able to | | | | example, they spin around each other in systematic |
| symbolize the essence and honor of the Carnaval | | | | swirls combined with elegant gestures." During the |
| culture. The Porta-Bandeira, along with the Mestre-Sala | | | | official parade, the Flag-bearer earns points for her |
| figure, can definitely represent the highest distinction to | | | | lightness, grace and presumptuous attitude. The |
| individuals who have devoted their career and lives to | | | | Flag-Bearer must carry the banner all through the |
| Carnaval and Samba in Brazil. | | | | parade, which in Rio de Janeiro lasts for 90 minutes. |
| First, let us take a look at some of the main functions, | | | | Also, the Flag-Bearer kisses the Samba-Schools Flag |
| attributes and characteristics of the "Porta-Bandeira" | | | | a few times during a parade, in a sign of honor and |
| which in brief, has the delicate task to present to | | | | pride for being the fundamental representation of the |
| samba enthusiasts and judging panel, the | | | | samba-school. All of this ritual though, would be |
| Samba-Schools banner during an official carnival | | | | incomplete without the presence of the second |
| parade. For the benefit of new samba fan readers, | | | | element we will describe here: the Mestre-Sala, or |
| lets us first recall what is a samba-school banner. Each | | | | Samba-Host. |
| samba-school (just like any country) has a flag which | | | | Both "porta-bandeira" / mestre-sala roles in the carnival |
| ultimately symbolizes itself in rehearsals, official events | | | | culture can really mean the top of a career and life |
| and the parade. (The flag - bandeira in Portuguese, is | | | | devoted to samba. Most couples you see at Rio de |
| also sometimes referred to as Pavilho, in Portuguese). | | | | Janeiro and So Paulo carnaval parades have probably |
| As an example, traditional Mangueira Samba-School | | | | been dancing and practicing samba for at least 15-20 |
| has a green and pink colored looking flag, with its full | | | | years. They usually start practicing for that specific |
| name "Primeira de Mangueira" written on it. | | | | function very young, at the ages of 8-10 years and |
| During every carnaval contest in Brazil, each | | | | gradually move up the samba-school hierarchy. Many |
| samba-school must obligatorily have a person which | | | | of them are direct descendants of the true founders |
| will carry its banner during the official carnaval parade | | | | of carnaval and samba in Brazil. The couples develop |
| in February /March. This person (woman by definition) | | | | their skills and experience, hoping one day to belong to |
| is the Flag-Bearer. The Porta-bandeiras specific duty is | | | | become the "couple number 1", from one of the 12 |
| then to wave and swirl the samba-school banner in | | | | most important samba-schools of Rio. The |
| graceful but determined way through the runway, while | | | | achievement of these positions would naturally bring |
| the Mestre-Sala, her escort, offers 'protection'. | | | | them fame and glory. |
| The "Porta-Bandeira element" is a class of its own in a | | | | Some Interesting Facts of these Samba Professionals: |
| samba-school parade. She is the focus point, the icon | | | | * Today, due to the professionalization of Brazilian |
| figure where everyone looks upon (and certainly never | | | | Carnival, we can find specific teachings for this type of |
| forgets). The first major differentiating aspect of a | | | | choreography, where they can enhance their dance, |
| Flag-bearer amongst other samba dancers / elements | | | | artistic, and even acting skills. |
| in a carnaval parade is her dressing. The Flag-bearer | | | | * In a major samba-school parade, you can have up to |
| has extremely exuberant and luxurious Carnaval | | | | 3 couples of Mestre-Sala / Porta-Bandeira per school. |
| costumes. Sometimes a single flag-bearer costume | | | | The official carnival judges naturally only rate the best |
| can cost up to US$ 40,000. In terms of carnaval | | | | couple and logically the most qualified of the school, |
| costumes, the area where carnaval directors invest | | | | called appropriately the "first couple. |
| the greatest amount of money, time and detail, is | | | | * The second and even third couples also play |
| surely the Porta-Bandeira. They definitely want to | | | | significant roles during the official contest. They are the |
| impress and show how the samba-school is not | | | | future generations of these specific functions and take |
| economical. The logic behind is that if the general look | | | | the opportunity of the official event to gain experience, |
| of the Porta-bandeira is impoverished, second-grade, | | | | charisma, graciousness so that one day they can |
| this could be a synonym that the samba-school is also | | | | become "couple number 1". |
| deficient, below par. In exchange, if the Flag-bearer | | | | * Today, a Porta-Bandeira´s contracts can be |
| costume is extremely glamorously done, with precious | | | | quite expensive, since samba-schools fight to obtain |
| items etc; the samba-school would be prosperous too. | | | | the best professionals. |
| The wealthier the samba school, greater is the | | | | * Many of todays Flag-Bearers, are grand-daughters |
| investment done in the development and creation of | | | | of the first Porta-bandeiras of the Brazilian Carnaval. |
| this specific costume in a parade. | | | | Normally, they have tight connections with the |
| Another distinguishing point to observe in | | | | community / samba-school they were raised in. |