🎭 Welcome to the first episode of our 3-4 part series exploring the history, culture, and magic of Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival! In this episode, we trace the ancient roots of this iconic celebration, uncovering how a festival born in Babylon evolved into the world’s most famous party.What you’ll discover:🌍 The Akitu festival in ancient Babylon, where kings were ritually humiliated, prisoners became royalty, and statues of gods paraded through the streets.🍷 How medieval Europe transformed pagan traditions into Carnival—a time of excess before the solemnity of Lent, marked by feasting, role reversals, and wild celebrations.💦 The arrival of Entrudo, a Portuguese festival, in colonial Brazil, where enslaved people flipped the script, dressing as their masters and dousing each other in water, flour, and even less savory substances.🎶 The birth of samba in the Afro-Brazilian communities of Rio, where cultural resistance and creativity turned a forbidden dance into the heartbeat of Carnival.From the chaotic streets of Recife to the multicultural neighborhood of Praça Onze, we explore how Carnival became a space for rebellion, unity, and joy. Meet figures like Tia Ciata, the Bahian priestess and cultural matriarch whose home became the birthplace of samba, and learn how the first recorded samba, “Pelo Telefone,” mocked police corruption while captivating the nation.This episode is a journey through time, showing how Carnival’s ancient traditions of role reversal, music, and community continue to shape Rio’s celebrations today.👉 Stay tuned for Episode 2, where we dive into how Rio’s elites tried to tame Carnival—and how the people fought back to create the spectacular event we know today.🔔 Subscribe + hit the bell to follow the series and uncover the untold stories behind the world’s greatest party!Love Carnival history? Share your thoughts or stories in the comments below! 💬#RioCarnival #SambaHistory #CulturalFusion #BrazilianCulture #PodcastSeries #CarnivalOrigins