Mestre Sala – Definition of Samba Host in the Brazilian Carnival
In this article we will describe a particularly characteristic element within the Brazilian Carnival party: the Mestre-Sala translated from Portuguese to Samba-Host. Next, you will understand why this iconic element can symbolize the essence and honor of the culture of the Carnival parade in Brazil. This figure represents the highest distinction for people who dedicate their career to the Samba Schools. Let us see below some of the most important attributions and characteristics of Mestre Sala.
The Mestre Sala / Samba Host has a fundamental presence within the Brazilian parades, and without them, the party simply would not be complete or exist. His main artistic function during the parade as he woos his fellow flag bearer is to protect the Porta-bandeira (Bearer of the flag) and the banner of the samba school. Symbolically, the Mestre-Sala carries a handkerchief or fan. Carnival historians note that in the past, samba hosts carried razors and small knives that were hidden inside the fans/kerchiefs and easily used if someone tried to steal the samba school banner.
The second distinctive attribution of the Mestre-sala is to draw everyone’s attention to his protégé and to ensure that the banner/flag of the samba school is clearly seen by the judges and the carnival media. His mission is completed when the Porta-Bandeira Flag Bearer is positively screened and the flag of the samba school is highlighted. Unlike other samba dancers, his choreography is refined and delicate, resembling the court dances of the aristocratic palaces of France. Like the Flag Bearer, Mestre Sala’s choreography is especially elegant. The samba host costume also resembles fancy clothing worn at European carnivals and ballrooms in the mid-18th century, sometimes including a wig.
The Mestre – Sala/Flag Bearer seen in parades in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo has a history of at least 15 to 20 years of samba dance practices and performances. As soon as they are identified by the directors of the samba schools as talented dancers, they receive special attention and are trained specifically for these roles. Some of them get their first chance to join an official parade at the age of 15 or 16, as “third” or “second” samba hosts. Really talented samba dancers can become the number “1” official samba host before they are 25 years old, on average. If they reach this contested position, they will naturally gain glory, high social status within the Carnival community, and top salaries.
Now let’s take a look at some other interesting details of the position of Samba Host:
* The performance of Samba Host is officially evaluated in the Rio Carnival contest by a criterion called “Porta Bandeira e Mestre Sala”. It is so important that it is used as a tiebreaker.
* Today, due to the professionalization of the Brazilian Carnival, we can find specific teachings for this type of choreography (Samba-host & Porta-Bandeira routines). At samba academies, they can improve their dance routines, artistic and even acting skills.
* In a large parade of samba schools, you can have up to 3 pairs of Mestre-Sala / Porta-Bandeira per school. The official carnival judges, naturally, only rate the best and logically the most qualified couple in the school, appropriately called the “first couple”.
* The second and even the third couple also play an important role during the official contest. They are the future generations of these specific functions and they take advantage of the official events to gain experience, charisma, finesse so that hopefully one day they can become the “number 1 couple”.
* Nowadays, the contracts of these professionals have increased significantly in terms of payment, as samba schools will always try to have the best Samba Hosts, to ensure that they get the perfect score for this contest criterion.
* Mestre Sala / Samba Host costume can also cost up to US$15,000.00
* Some of the best samba hosts are in contention to be hired by samba schools.