Carnival and the Struggle for Rights: The Trajectory of the Members of the Grêmio Recreativo Recreio das Flores (1908–1916)
Post-abolition, Black sociability, carnival associations, labor struggles, Rio de Janeiro.
This research analyzes the role of carnival associations in the social inclusion of Black people in post-abolition Brazilian society, highlighting how these spaces fostered networks of solidarity and served as platforms for social and political mobilization. Focusing on the trajectory of the members of the Grêmio Dançante Carnavalesco Recreio das Flores, mostly dockworkers from the port of Rio de Janeiro, the study explores the forms of sociability developed by Black workers. It also examines the connections between the association and contemporary labor union struggles, emphasizing the importance of these spaces in collective organization. The main sources include the statutes of these carnival societies and newspapers of the time, which often sought to criminalize and discredit such organizations. The research demonstrates how Black clubs and dance events functioned as arenas of resistance and political articulation in post-abolition Rio de Janeiro.