Portela
The traditional and innovative Portela
Portela is Rio’s oldest samba group and a premier school with an absolute record of 21 titles including 7 consecutive championships. After going through a rough period in the 1980s, it managed to retain itself in the Special Group mainly because of its glorious past and popularity only to reclaim its original grandeur later on. Portela’s foundation, their innovative spirit and brilliant performances have helped them in winning many Rio Carnival contests. Its Carnival parades are graced by many international celebrities including singer Ricky Martin and super model Nomi Campbell.
History
Portela took its first step in 1920s when samba schools as they are known today did not exist. Paulo Benjamin de Oliveira proposed the formation of a novel and distinct samba band that was to really symbolize the entire neighborhood of Osvaldo. With support from friends, in the year 1923 on April 11th, Portela samba school was born. The school changed many names as its identity evolved in the coming years and in 1935 they finally adopted the name of Portela.
Identity
The colors of Portela samba school are blue and white with a symbol that has remained unchanged since the start of the school - a giant eagle. This eagle shines high in a symbol of honor and pride for those great performers that have lead Portela to victory.
Performance
Legendary Portela Samba School has led the way in many aspects of the carnival. It was the first group that used decorations, introduced the opening wing and was the first to use ropes. Portela is known for choosing beautiful and charismatic Queens and having the strongest Drum sections. These innovations along with a fabulous team of composers helped this samba school win an unbelievable 11 titles, of which 7 were in a row between 1939 and 1953 creating history in the samba musical genre in Brazil.
Play the samba school Portela 2012 theme song
Samba Enredo 2012 (Lyrics)
"... E o povo na rua cantando é feito uma reza, um ritual..."
Authors: Wanderley Monteiro, Luiz Carlos Máximo, Toninho Nascimento e Naldo
Meu rei
Senhor do Bonfim alumia
Os caminhos da Portela
Que eu guardo no meu patuá
Eu vim na proteção dos meus guias
Com Clara guerreira à Bahia
Cheguei, eu cheguei pra festejar
Deixa lavar nos altares e terreiros
Tem jarro com água de cheiro
Vou jogar flores no mar
No mar
Procissão dos navegantes
Eu também sou almirante
De nossa senhora Iemanjá
Vou no gongá
Bater tambor
Rezo no altar
Levo o andor
Vem chegando os batuqueiros
Desce a ladeira, meu amor
Que a patuscada começou
Eu vim pra rua
Onde o samba de roda chegou
Iaiá
De saia rendada em cetim
Bota o tempero na festa
Oi, tem abará e quindim
Portela cheia de encantos
Acolhe a Bahia em seu canto
Com festas, rezas, rituais
Vestido de azul e branco
Eu venho estender o nosso manto
Aos meus santos do samba que são Orixás
Madureira sobe o Pelô... Tem capoeira
Na batida do tambor... Samba Ioiô
Rola o toque de Olodum... Lá na Ribeira
A Bahia me chamou
