Carlinhos Pandeiro de Ouro and stunts (known as "malabarismo"). Soon Carlinhos was performing professionally, working with most important musicians and composers in Rio. In 1966, Brazil held a national contest to find the country’s best pandeiro player. Carlinhos out-performed 500 other players to win the first ‘Golden Tambourine’ award, thereby becoming known as "Carlinhos Pandeiro de Ouro". With this recognition, Carlinhos represented Brazil in performances before the Japanese royal family, the Swedish royal family, and also in a command performance for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip of England. Carlinhos has had a wide-ranging career as a percussionist, appearing in Brazilian films, on Brazilian
Religion in Brazil religions equal in the Codes of Law, but the Catholic Church remained very influential until the 1970s. For example, due to the strong opposition of the Catholic Church, divorce was not allowed in Brazil until 1977 even if a separated couple observed a different religion. The Catholicism practiced in Brazil is full of popular festivities rooted in centuries-old Portuguese traditions, but also heavily influenced by African and Native Brazilian usage. Popular traditions include pilgrimages to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida ("Nossa Senhora Aparecida"), the patron saint of Brazil, and religious festivals like the ""Círio de Nazaré"" in