Brazil Carnival

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Members of Portela samba school perform as the sun at the Sambadrome, during carnival celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on February 4, 2008. Portela' s theme this year is a song for nature Photograph: Vanderlei Almeida/AFP

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Revellers from the Viradouro samba school dance atop a float during carnival celebrations on February 4 2008 Photograph: Vanderlei Almeida/AFP

Sao Paulo, Brazil: A member of the Vai-Vai samba school dressed up as part of carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome on February 2 2008 Photograph: Mauricio Lima/AFP

Sao Paulo, Brazil: Dancers from the special group 'Rosas de Ouro' of the Brazilian school of Samba perform during a carnival parade at the Anhembi Sambadrome on February 2 2008 Photograph: Sebastiao Moriera/EPA

Members of the 'Gavioes da Fiel' Samba school dance in the parade at the Anhembi Sambadrome on February 1 2008 Photograph: Sebastiao Moreira/EPA

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: A reveller dances during the carnival street band 'Banda de Ipanema' parade on February 2 2008 Photograph: Antonio Scorza/AFP

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: A dancer from Portel samba school performs during a carnival parade at the Sambadrome on February 4, 2008 Photograph: Dado Galdieri/AP

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Skiers perform during the Viradouro samba school parade on a float covered in artificial snow during carnival celebrations on February 4 2008 Photograph: Vanderlei Almeida/AFP

Sao Paulo, Brazil: Performerd from Unidos da Vila Maria samba school on a float themed in homage to the Japanese community living in Brazil and in celebration of its centenary (1908-2008) at the Anhembi Sambadrome, on February 2 2008 Photograph: Mauricio Lima/AFP

A float from the Portel samba school during carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, February 4 2008 Photograph: Dado Galdieri/AP

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Dancers from the Portel samba school perform during a carnival parade at the Sambadrome on February 4 2008 Photograph: Dado Galtieri/AP

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Revellers from the Viradouro samba school atop a float during carnival celebrations on February 4 2008 Photograph: Vanderlei Almeida/AFP

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: A member of the Portela samba school during a carnival parade at the Sambadrome on February 4 2008 Photograph: Dado Galdieri/AP

Parati, Brazil: Covered in mud but dancing through during a performance by the traditional Bloco da Lama Samba group at Jabaquara beach on February 2 2008 Photograph: Dado Galtieri/AP

Parati, Brazil: A reveller walks in mud before joining the Bloco da Lama Samba carnival parade on February 2 2008 Photograph: Dado Galdieri/AP