A Brazilian carnival of powerful and curly hair

A group of women play tambourines and drums to a samba beat as they take part in a curl power street party encouraging Afro-Brazilian women to flaunt their curls, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Source: AP photo)

A woman smiles while attending the street party in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Source: AP photo)

The party was sponsored by a beauty salon that encourages Afro-Brazilian women to enjoy their natural hair and resist social pressures to straighten it. (Source: AP photo)

A woman poses for a photo during the street party. (Source: AP photo)

A woman takes part in the street party in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Source: AP photo)

Dancers perform at the curl power street party. (Source: AP photo)

Hundreds of women are using Brazil’s Carnival season to flaunt their curls. (Source: AP photo)

The celebration is one of hundreds of street parties that are kicking off in the run-up to Carnival, which starts on Friday. (Source: AP photo)

Some of the "blocos" or street parties have social themes, but for many the basic message is just: “Dance.” (Source: AP photo)

The celebration is a party-time promotion of black pride. (Source: AP photo)