Blocos, trios, abadás and popcorn dancer

These are typical jargons of Salvador's carnaval. Here you'll find out what each term means.

Blocos de carnaval
The ´blocos de carnaval` are formed by a ´trio elétrico` and a support car, and their space is reserved and separated by a large rope.

Each bloco has around 3000 members/participants, who may be identified by wearing the abadá, and are protected by a security scheme that counts with over 1000 people.

The trios elétricos parade surrounded by the bloco's members and, outside the rope, millions of other people follow them. Artists sing and play the whole time, while the crowd dance, flirt and have fun.

Trio elétrico
The trio elétrico is a large flat-bed truck, equipped with modern sound systems, as well as the band's equipment, which stays at the upper stage where artists perform.

The trio's average speed is 2 Km/h, and it stops many times. By doing this, it is able to finish the 6 Km street circuit within 7 to 8 hours.

The Barra/Ondina circuit, with approximately 4 Km, may be finished in around 5 to 6 hours, allowing members to follow it dancing and playing.

Support Car
It is also a large truck, and counts with a structure to support the bloco, offering:
Snack bar
Restrooms
Medical Service
VIP Lounges

Abadá
Abadá is the costume that allows the identification of the bloco's members.

In fact, each member is entitled to one ´Kit Fantasia`, which comprises of one abadá (large t-shirt printed with the bloco's security symbol), shorts and various complements.

Each member receives 1 abadá for each day, which may be identified by print and color and bears the specific day to be worn.

Care with Abadá

As the abadá is your access ticket to the bloco, it is carefully inspected by the security team to prevent the entrance of non-members.

Those wishing to restyle the abadá must be careful when cutting it. The bloco's security symbol must be kept (with its logo), according to the instructions included in the kit and as informed upon receipt.

Individuals with the abadá cut in half, without the security symbol or with the symbol altered, shall not be allowed to stay inside the bloco.

Popcorn dancer
The popcorn dancers or ´foliões pipoca` are peole who dance carnaval outside the blocos' ropes.

They may follow the blocos and musical attractions without paying, however, they do not enjoy the privileges, nor the safety, of the
blocos' members.

They mix with street vendors, who sell anything from beer to melted cheese. Care must be taken as there is a large crowd.