Hot Samba Rhythms and Flashflood of Colors: Carnival in Paraguay

Paraguay's carnival season has just started. The largest annual carnival in the country kicked off in the city of Encarnación, some 375 km (233 miles) from Asunción.

Take a look at the most colorful samba dancer costumes in Sputnik's photo gallery.

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© AFP 2023 / Norberto Duarte

Encarnación is also known as the Carnival capital of Paraguay.

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© AFP 2023 / Norberto Duarte

The Carnival in Paraguay lasts five weekends in a row.

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© AFP 2023 / Norberto Duarte

The first procession of the season was held in Encarnación on January 27 and the last one to be held on February 25.

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© AFP 2023 / Norberto Duarte

The annual event has been held since 1916.

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© AFP 2023 / Norberto Duarte

Just like Brazilians, Paraguayans spend the whole year preparing dance performances for the weeks of carnival.

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© AFP 2023 / Norberto Duarte

A dancer performs during the carnival in Encarncion, Paraguay.

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© AFP 2023 / Norberto Duarte

Every year, procession participants sow new costumes. Beautiful ladies are mostly seen in tiny sparkling bikinis and enormous peacock-feathered headdresses, which have become a recognized trademark of Latin carnivals.

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© AFP 2023 / Norberto Duarte

The participants are mainly students from local schools dancing samba and playing congas (barrel-like tall and narrow drums) and guests from Rio de Janeiro.

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© AFP 2023 / Norberto Duarte

A dancer performs during the carnival in Encarncion, Paraguay.

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© AFP 2023 / Norberto Duarte

A lot of tourists, mostly from Argentina and Brazil, come to Encarnación during the carnival.

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© AFP 2023 / Norberto Duarte

"Sambadrome," an exhibition space built for the carnival in the city center hosts up to 12,000 people.

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© AFP 2023 / Norberto Duarte

Dancers perform during the carnival in Encarnacion, Paraguay.

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© AFP 2023 / Norberto Duarte

The organizers expect that about 100,000 people will take part in the carnival this year.