King Momo (alternatively known as King Momos or King Momus in English, Rei Momo in Portuguese, Rey Momo in Spanish, and Rex Momus in Latin) is considered the king of Carnivals in numerous Latin American festivities, mainly in Brazil and Colombia. His appearance signifies the beginning of the Carnival festivities. Each carnival has its own King Momo, who is often given the key to the city. Traditionally, a tall, fat man is chosen to fulfill the role because the original King Momo was of that physical stature.
In Argentina and Uruguay, Rey Momo is more often represented by a big, sometimes monumental, doll made of papier-mâché over a wooden or wire structure. In these cases it is carried in a tow or at the top of a truck, and presides the carnival with a royal court of dancers. While a doll, it conserves its traditional features: flamboyant and colorful clothing, a smiling or joyful face and a prominent belly. It many places, the doll is burned at the end of the festivities, also being its climax, but this practice is being discouraged in recent times for safety reasons. Also in the former Portuguese-ruled Goa, India, at the Carnival Parade, a person is selected to play the part of King Momo. Sixtus Eric Dias from Candolim was selected in 2021.
Origin King Momus derives from the Greek god Momus () .Rio Carnival: World's biggest extravaganza (The Herald -Zimbabwe-, 11 March 2011)
King Momos of Rio de Janeiro
Probably the most famous of the King Momos are found in Rio de Janeiro where the tradition of a presiding king goes back to 1933. :
PeriodName 1933-1948 Paper Mache Doll 1949-1950 Gustavo Mattos 1951-1957 Nélson Nobre 1958-1971 Abrahão Haddad 1972 Edson Seraphin de Santana 1973 Elson Macula 1974-1982 Edson Seraphin de Santana 1983 Paolo Vicente Paccelli 1984 Roberto Barbosa de Castro 1985-1986 Edson Seraphin de Santana 1987-1995 Reynaldo Bola 1996 Paulo César Braga Champorry 1997-2003 Alex Oliveira 2004 Wagner Monteiro 2005 Marcelo de Jesus Reis 2006-2008 Alex Oliveira 2009-2013 Milton Júnior 2014-2016 Wilson Neto 2017 Fábio Damião dos Santos Antunes 2018 Milton Júnior
King Momos of Santos
Waldemar Esteves da Cunha (born 1920 - died 2013) was King Momo of Santos from 1950 to 1956 and from 1958 to 1990, and until he was 92 and pensioned, he was the oldest Momo in Brazil.
See also Rex parade
References