PARATY, Brazil — On Saturday, a vibrant tradition played out on the sleepy shores of Paraty, a coastal town in southeastern Brazil, as hundreds of revelers, covered head to toe in mud, celebrated an annual Carnival event that has been attracting participants for nearly four decades.
The festive participants eagerly dashed into the shallow, silty waters near one of Paraty’s beaches, emerging coated in a gleaming layer of mud. Once transformed, they filled the air with the sound of jubilant chants — “Uga! Uga!” — as they joyously danced along the sandy shores before embarking on their parade.
Thais Beazussi, a 20-year-old reveler who travels almost two hours by car each year to join in the muddy festivities, exclaims, “It’s the best bloco! There aren’t many opportunities to get muddy and dance and sing like this. It’s gooey, sticky, and it smells, but it’s fantastic.”
Brasil’s Carnival is a renowned celebration that blends spectacular samba school parades, which are meticulously planned and executed over the year, with quirky street parties, each presenting its unique theme, aesthetic, or musical style.
The tradition of the mud party traces its roots back to 1986, as detailed by Paraty’s tourism website. On Jabaquara Beach, friends playfully frolicked in the mangroves and realized their identities were concealed beneath a thick layer of mud. Taking advantage, they ventured into the city’s historic center, capturing the attention of residents and visitors alike.
The following year, these friends returned, intentionally caked in mud to embody a prehistoric tribe for Carnival, complete with skulls, vines, and bones that accompanied their tribal chants. Thus, the mud party was born, and it has since become a staple of local tradition.
Over the years, the event’s popularity has necessitated an increased focus on maintaining the area’s cleanliness. Organizers, alongside Paraty’s tourist office, emphasize the importance of reminding attendees to avoid sullying the town’s vibrant walls, vehicles, and observers during their celebratory antics.
