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Rio Carnival: Tribute to black women crowned winner

PABLO PORCIUNCULA/AFP A member of the Unidos do Viradouro samba school performs during the last night of the Carnival parade at the Marques de Sapucai Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on February 13, 2024.PABLO PORCIUNCULA/AFP

The Viradouro samba school has won Rio de Janeiro's hotly contested Carnival parade competition with its tribute to black women.

Ricardo Moraes/Reuters A reveller from Viradouro samba school performs during the night of the Carnival parade at the Sambadrome, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil February 13, 2024.Ricardo Moraes/Reuters

Viradouro was the last samba school to parade in the two-day contest held before Ash Wednesday. Viradouro said it wanted to honour a cobra which is considered sacred in some parts of the African country of Benin.

ANDRE COELHO/EPA Members of the Unidos do Viradouro samba school parade during the second day of the Rio de Janeiro carnival at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 13 February 2024.ANDRE COELHO/EPA

The group said it wanted to highlight Brazil's historic ties with Benin, from where many of the people who were taken to Brazil as slaves came from.

ANDRE COELHO/EPA Members of the Unidos do Viradouro samba school parade during the second day of the Rio de Janeiro carnival at the SambadromeANDRE COELHO/EPA

Snakes featured heavily in their parade, not just in the form of floats...

ANDRE COELHO/EPA Members of the Unidos do Viradouro samba school parade during the second day of the Rio de Janeiro carnival at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 13 February 2024.ANDRE COELHO/EPA

...but also in the dancers' headgear.

Ricardo Moraes/Reuters A reveller from Viradouro samba school performs during the night of the Carnival parade at the Sambadrome, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil February 13, 2024.Ricardo Moraes/Reuters

The group also celebrated voodoo beliefs, its artistic director told Brazilian news site G1.

PABLO PORCIUNCULA/AFP A member of the Unidos do Viradouro samba school performs during the last night of the Carnival parade at the Marques de Sapucai Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on February 13, 2024.PABLO PORCIUNCULA/AFP

Drums featured heavily as the group paraded through the Sambadrome, the venue which hosts the annual competition.

PABLO PORCIUNCULA/Getty Members of the Unidos do Viradouro samba school perform during the last night of the Carnival parade at the Marques de Sapucai Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on February 13, 2024.PABLO PORCIUNCULA/Getty

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