in the blessing of the stadium, the baianas merged rituals from umbanda and candomblé, two afro-brazilian religions, and symbolically washed the sambódromo with incense, herbs, and perfumes, to attract the good energy of saints and orixás (deities).

this has become a tradition, and every year after the end of the last rehearsal, a procession of baianas, mestre-sala/bandeira (flag-holders), and children from the samba mirins participate in the blessing.

considered the 'mothers of samba', baianas are one of the most beautiful and characteristic part of any major carnaval parade.

for the weeks leading up to the official parades, many technical rehearsals of the various samba schools take place in the sambódromo, as well as the final sound and lighting rehearsals.