this is when rivalry between ranchos started to emerge, with components of one rancho even attempting to take the flag of another team - reason why the master of ceremonies would parade armed with a razor.

in fact, this was the root of what later evolved into modern samba school competitions - where groups of revelers in sophisticated costumes, led by a flag carrier and a master of ceremonies, compete to win the title of best school and perhaps, at least symbolically, take the flag of the other schools.

at the same time, the lower classes would gather in what were called 'cordões' (cords), or groups of people masked as soldiers, devils, clowns, kings, queens, indians, famous characters, and mythological figures, and marching in a group or line.