In this article we will describe the Goddesses of the Brazilian Carnival, called Queens of the Drum Section, or “Rainha de Bateria” in Portuguese. Carnival Drum Queens, Queen of the Drums or Percussions Muse, are some names that translators give to the expression of the Brazilian carnival “Rainha de Bateria”. We decided to use the term “Carnival Drum Queens” as it better represents, in our opinion, the actual meaning of the Brazilian term. Carnival Drum Queens are essentially muses who prominently parade in front of each drum section within a samba school at the Brazilian carnival. Let’s see how this all started. In this article we will describe the Goddesses of the Brazilian Carnival, called Queens of the Drum Section, or “Rainha de Bateria” in Portuguese. Carnival Drum Queens, Queen of the Drums or Percussions Muse, are some names that translators give to the expression of the Brazilian carnival “Rainha de Bateria”. We decided to use the term “Carnival Drum Queens” as it better represents, in our opinion, the actual meaning of the Brazilian term. Carnival Drum Queens are essentially muses who prominently parade in front of each drum section within a samba school at the Brazilian carnival. Let’s see how this all started.
Some historians say that the origin of this beautiful figure dates back to the fifties and sixties, but it was not until the mid-eighties, with the model Monique Evans at the Mocidade Independente samba school of Padre Miguel, that the position reached the status what do you have today These Carnival Goddesses must have specific attributes to become a true Drum Queen. Not all Carnival muses are Drum Queens. The “Rainhas de Bateria” are at the top of the social status chain (for women) within the Brazilian Carnival and are responsible for “opening and welcoming” the drum section percussionists at all the major schools. of samba from Brazil. The position is highly sought after and generates lively competition among potential candidates. The “Rainhas de Bateria” are generally young (between 18 and 50 years old) and very physical. This is so as you need to have all the necessary energy to dance samba during a series of backstage events like samba rehearsals, technical parades, shows, promotional video clips and samba parties.
In addition to being young and wonderful, the “Rainhas de Bateria” must also be very photogenic, in order to attract as much attention as possible from the specialized media and the general public. Carnival Drum Queens are photographed throughout the year, and this interest and media exposure adds popularity and glamor to the final performance of the samba school during the official parade. Among all the attributes, charisma is probably the most important that a candidate for this position must have: he must be extremely charismatic, capable of arousing empathy in the samba school audience, the media and the general public. In addition, these muses must be very media and energetic, so that the general opinion and especially the drummers and percussionists maintain their enthusiasm during the parade. Ideally, Drum Queens should also be accomplished dancers. Due to this high profile, Drum Queens are a vital and active element within a samba school to promote their community throughout the year.
Now that we know the main attributes that a Drum Section Queen must possess, let’s explain how they are chosen. Samba Schools in Brazil have a power structure similar to corporations in America, with a president, directors, support staff, etc. Drum Queens are then basically chosen by the president and the board of directors of the samba school. At the end of each carnival, they review the beauty’s overall performance. If the Drum Queen represented the samba school in the official parade (and side events) with energy, empathy and brilliance, then she can qualify to repeat the parade next year. If she fails, she must be replaced. But all this is very sensitive and subjective. Many of them have informal agreements with the Samba school, while others have definite contracts.
People connected to samba schools, such as patrons and partners, can often try to influence the president to push for a specific muse, but the final decision is made by the president of the samba school.
Although the Drum Queen is not paid by the school, there is a lot of interest in the position. Drum Queens usually come from the world of entertainment, and are most often Brazilian TV actresses, famous dancers, pop singers, or celebrities.
Every time there is a new “Rainha de Batería”, or when the current one is “re-elected” to the position, the samba school organizes a “coronation party”, where the President presents the muse to the press, to the Drum Section and members of the samba school. He then promises her love and commitment to the samba school’s flag. His “term of rule” starts instantly at that ritual and lasts for at least a year, if nothing goes wrong.
It is important to note that queens are not necessarily associated with a specific samba school. Much like soccer or baseball teams, the beauty may represent more than one samba school during her lifetime, but is usually identified with the school/pageant she was most successful with during her career. Finally, as an interesting curiosity, although the Queens of the Carnival Drum have all the repercussions that we described above, the performance of the Rainhas de Bateria is incredibly not qualified in the official Carnival contest. This means that Drum Queen’s performance in the parade has not yet been included as a competition criteria. (Many carnival journalists have suggested that they should eventually become an official competition criteria.)
Some of the legendary queens of the percussion section of all time in Brazil definitely include the following models: Adriane Galisteu, Luiza Brunet, Fabia Borges, Juliana Paes, Viviane Araujo, Luciana Gimenez and Thatiana Pagung.
