Which Rio Carnival bloco, founded in 1918, is one of the city’s oldest street groups?

Cordão da Bola Preta, founded in 1918, is one of Rio de Janeiro’s oldest Carnival street groups.

The bloco was created in Rio’s downtown area and became known for its black-and-white visual identity. Its name is commonly translated as “Black-and-White Cord,” and its parades attract very large crowds during Carnival.

Unlike samba schools, which compete in elaborate avenue parades, blocos are primarily street-party groups. They organize open public processions featuring live music, dancing, costumes, and informal participation. Cordão da Bola Preta is therefore part of Rio’s bloco tradition rather than a samba-school league.

The group’s age is also a useful historical marker: it predates the first official samba-school competition of 1932. Modern Carnival programs include many newer blocos, but Cordão da Bola Preta remains one of the best-known historic names in Rio street Carnival.