"Rio's Carnival: From Working-Class Ball-Slammers to Indigenous Rights Plea"
In the working-class suburbs of Rio de Janeiro, bate-bolas, or ball-slammers, clad in mesmerizing costumes and masks, reign over the pre-Lenten revelry with their playful antics and tradition dating back to medieval Celtic rituals. These groups spend months hand-making extravagant themed outfits, with some now including women, and are united in their extravagance despite varying forms. Despite being recognized as part of the city's cultural heritage, they remain largely unknown to wealthier residents and are often dismissed as hooligans, leading to prejudice and negative media portrayal.