THOUSANDS of feathered and bejewelled dancers took to the streets of Rio de Janeiro at the weekend as the city's carnival samba burst into action.
The dazzling extravaganza got underway on Friday with 14 samba schools rolling out their traditional shows featuring eye-popping outfits and buckets of body paint.
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A woman sporting an elaborate butterfly-inspired costume dances down the SambadromeCredit: EPA
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A member of Imperatriz Samba School during the parade at 2019 Brazilian Carnival at Sapucai SambadromeCredit: Getty Images - Getty
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Queen of Percussion Quiteria Chagas of Imperio Serrano dazzles in her flamboyant costumeCredit: Getty Images - Getty
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This lady went topless to strutt her stuff at the famous carnival
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A performer stands on top of huge plastic turtleCredit: Reuters
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A golden performance by members of the Viradouro samba school on the carnival's opening nightCredit: AFP
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Rio Carnival is considered to be the biggest street party in the world, with more than two million people enjoying the festivitiesCredit: AFP
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A member of the samba school of the Grupo Especial Academicos do Grande RioCredit: EPA
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A reveller from Unidos da Tijuca samba school lights up the parade in orangeCredit: Reuters
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Hard hitting: a dancer atop a slavery-themed float. Brazil was the last country in the Western world to abolish slaveryCredit: Reuters
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Each school is allowed 75 minutes to parade down the 700 yards long Sambadrome track to show off their skillsCredit: Reuters
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A performer from Unidos da Tijuca samba school shows off her elaborate costumeCredit: Reuters
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The annual carnival takes place before Lent, beginning on March 1Credit: EPA
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The glittering costumes leave little to the imaginationCredit: AFP
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Turtle power: revellers soaked up the atmosphere as dozens of floats wound down the roadsCredit: AP:Associated Press
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A dancer from Beija-Flor samba school wows the crowds in her violet numberCredit: Reuters
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Feathered friends from the Salgueiro school take to the streets of RioCredit: AFP
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Dancers in bejewelled costumes light up the paradeCredit: Reuters
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A member of the Grande Rio samba school puts on a dramatic performanceCredit: AFP or licensors
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A performer looks down upon the crowds from atop her carnival floatCredit: EPA
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Revealing leotards were favoured by dancersCredit: Getty Images - Getty
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A dancer clad in red feathers strikes a fierce poseCredit: Reuters
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