978-1-4222-3341-2

in 2008 saw Brazilian soccer “as art,” the glue that bound society. The game appeals to the literate and the illiterate; the moneyed and the poor; city dwell- ers and farmers. When a team loses, not only does it reflect poorly on the players, but also on the country as whole. Another popular sport, which combines martial arts, dance, and music, is capoeira. The historical origin of the sport is up for debate, but many believe it started in the sixteenth century with African slaves in Brazil who wished to conceal their self-defense training. Capoeira is both an art form that fuses fast and complex spinning and kicking moves, as well as a challenge of balance between the players. Today, players across the world participate in the sport, with masters of capoeira traveling the globe to teach it to other cultures. The passion Brazilians have for soccer and capoeira is matched by Carni- val, the annual festival celebrated forty-six days before Easter. While Carnival is celebrated in many countries, Brazil’s is the most famous of all, with each city celebrating in its own boisterous and colorful way. The celebration has its A woman performs during Carnival 2014 in Rio de Janeiro.