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Carnival is a space out of normal time, and a chance to be seen for a
moment in a magical way. Just as precious as the extravagance of some
outfits is the idea, simply in the enthusiast's mind, of heading out for
fun in public spaces, of using the city's size for visibility or
invisibility, hoping to find the unexpected, and perhaps being the
unexpected for others. Carnival is a time for masks and illusion, but
also a time when desires are manifested openly, sketched out in costumes
and pencilled momentarily on lips and in eyes.
Picture #34 "Filhas de Oxum"/"Nesta cidade todo mundo" The small *bloco, Filhas de Oxum, is a good example of a communitarian group specifically oriented to carnival. Oxum is the *orixá of beauty and feminine vanity, and a lover of gold. Just as people have a star-sign, in Salvador and the Recôncavo people are born under the auspices of a given orixá. A favorite local song claims that "In this city, everyone is under Oxum" (Gerônimo, "Nesta cidade todo mundo é de Oxum"), suggesting that a certain feminine aesthetic flair marks the personality of the city and its denizens.
Picture #35 "I saw the future long ago"/ "já vi muitas cartas" More Filhas de Oxum. Like Oxum herself, Youth is gilded. But as Oscar Wilde observed, "youth is wasted on the young". This diviner seems confident that what she sees in the cards is knowledge worth as much as any pretty face. In her left hand is a purse full of coins.
Picture #36 "Flaming Wooden heart"/"pé de pé" The Gays of Bahia Association is well organized and led by a dynamic activist, Luiz Mott. Transvestites parade in various categories at the Municipal Square in front of the Mayor's office. The winner in 2000 was number 13, decked out entirely in thin slices of wood.
Picture #37 "Beautiful Boy"/"Vocé sabia?" Many of the transvestites are not trans-sexual but use body-adjusting hormone treatments and implants that give them a female figure while still retaining the penis.
Picture #38 "Crowd agog"/"povão sorridão" This crowd is that of Picture 36 and Picture 37. The event takes place in the central square, in front of the Mayor's Office, where there are also many semi-official, family-oriented events, and the crowd is more of the day-time than night-time type. Their enthusiasm borders on exaltation. Given that the spectacle is of semi-nude transvestites, this suggests a healthy tolerance of deviance from generally prevailing social norms, and a great sense of fun.
Picture #39 "Ready for action!"/"prontas" Hey, don't step on those platform heels! An "I-dream-of-Genie" Middle Eastern maiden look and the Flintstones are thematic inspirations here. In general, young children in Brazil, particularly girls, are oriented toward classic gender roles from a very early age. But these girls look like they're ready for a lesson or two in kick-boxing or something else empowering.
