Giovanna da Silva Justo, or simply Giovanna Justo, as she is known in samba world, was born and raised in Morro da Mangueira, which gives the name to the most traditional and important samba school from Rio de Janeiro. She is Orlendi Justo and Djair da Silva’s daughter. Orlendi was Mangueira’s vice-president in the 90’s, and Mrs. Djair dedicated herself to her husband and to their kids.


Giovanna started her life in the samba world in the 80’s, when she used to parade in Mangueira’s children wings, which was managed by the late Dona Neuma. Throughout the years, she became interested in the art of being a true porta bandeira- Flag- Bearer. This is when she started having classes with the legendary instructor Dalmo José. In the end of the 80’s, Giovanna started to parade in Mangueira’s Samba-School junior mestre-sala and porta-bandeira wing, which comprised of 15 young couples.



After having an important role at the junior porta-bandeira´s wing, in 1994 she had her first invitation to parade as <Estação Primeira de Mangueira’s first porta-bandeira - Flag-Bearer, the one of the most legendary posts in a samba-school parade. Next year, in 1995, she had her first parade with excellent results and top parading scores. She became then Estação Primeira de Mangueira’s official porta-bandeira or Flag-Bearer, in English.

Below, Flag Bearer ( Porta Bandeira ) Giovanna Justo , Marquinhos and Fernando Costa at a Bacalhoada from Tijuca:



After many years having the best scores, several invitations from other schools came up, recognizing her bright career. However, it was only 2004 that she had her greatest acknowledgement in her carrier until then. The Porta-Bandeira was honored to receive the famous award in samba world in Rio de Janeiro, called Estandarte de Ouro (Golden Flag Award), which took her to the limelight of the samba world in Brazil.



Above a the first couple from Unidos da Tijuca in action; Pictures from Alexandre Vidal

In 2009, she had a major shift in her life. Giovanna Porta-bandeira was invited by another large and traditional samba school from Rio de Janeiro - Unidos da Tijuca Samba-school. The invitation was made by its president Fernando Horta and after intense negotiations, Giovanna decided it was time to pursue new challenges.

She would now carry the blue and yellow pavilion from Unidos da Tijuca Samba-School along with Mestre-Sala Marquinhos with great pride. They will represent the Samba-School founded in 1936, for the 2010 Carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro.

Congratulations Giovanna Flag Bearer for such a devoted, passionate and brilliant samba career.