Brazilians perform capoeira on the first day of Carnival celebrations on Feb. 16, 2012 in Salvador, Brazil. Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art and dance form that was developed by slaves in the region.

A couple kiss before performing on the first day of Carnival celebrations on Thursday. Rio de Janeiro's Carnival begins on Friday.

Salvador is the capital of the Northeastern state of Bahia and was the first colonial capital of Brazil.