The Rio de Janeiro Carnival parade group traditionally associated with women dressed in white is the ala das baianas.
The ala das baianas honors the historical presence of Bahian women in the development of Rio’s samba communities. Its members commonly wear wide, layered skirts, blouses, head coverings, and other clothing inspired by Bahian dress and Afro-Brazilian cultural traditions.
The group became a recognizable part of samba-school parades and is often positioned as a large, visually unified wing. Its circular turns and sweeping skirts create one of the parade’s most distinctive images.
White is traditional but not mandatory in every presentation. Costumes can be adapted to the school’s annual enredo, so the phrase refers to the group’s identity and heritage rather than a strict color rule.