The Making of a Maracatu Queen

José Maria Paula de Almeida--simply "Almeida" to his friends--kindly allowed us to document the gender and race transformation he undergoes when he performs as Queen of Maracatu Nação Iracema. Here, he was preparing for a pre-Carnival show in Cáucaia, which took place on February 21, 2009, the day before the municipal parade in Fortaleza.

Video: Markus Honaker