LITTLE AFRICAS

Cacique de Ramos’ most characteristic costume is a surprising synthesis of Afro-Brazilian and Indigenous roots as represented by Hollywood. The brothers Ubirajara, Ubiracy and Ubirany, who were among the block’s founders, were so named because of their family’s deep connection to Umbanda and Candomblé. Adopted in 1967, the costume was designed by Romeu de Vasconcellos, a member of the block who personally produced it over the decades. Printed on pieces of napa leather, and freely pieced together by carnival revelers, the costume recombined black, white and red elements each year.