On Friday, the mayor of Rio de Janeiro handed over the key to the city to King Momo, marking the start of his five-day rule over the Carnival celebrations.
“Don’t call me. Call King Momo until Ash Wednesday comes,” Mayor Eduardo Paes, dressed in shorts and a Panama hat, told the Carnival crowd. He added that King Momo would be in charge during the festivities. Drummers and members of local samba schools joined in, singing traditional songs to celebrate.
King Momo’s role represents the turning of society upside down during Carnival, a tradition inspired by Greek mythology. Momo, or Momus, symbolizes satire, mockery, and irreverence.
This year, King Momo is 28-year-old Kaio Mackenzie from the working-class Mangueira community. He was joined by Rio’s Carnival queen and princesses, who danced to samba music while holding the city key high, as confetti rained down on them.
Street parties have already started in Rio as a warm-up for Carnival, but the official celebrations will include almost 500 city-authorized parties. Many more informal parties are also expected to take place.
A dancer performs during the ceremony that officially kicks off Carnival in Rio de JaneiroOne of the city’s traditional street parties, Carmelitas, took over the Santa Teresa neighborhood on Friday afternoon. It started in 1990, and many attendees dress up as nuns and priests from the Carmelites Convent.
“I love it,” said Maxime Poulain, 25, a tourist from France. “A week ago it was already amazing, and I’m hoping this week will be even better.”
Charlotte Albiston, 30, from the U.K., was also enjoying the street party, despite the 32°C (90°F) heat that made her face red.
“I’ve been to Rio a few times, but this is my first Carnival. It has a different energy,” she said.
Some at the party paid tribute to Pope Francis, who is hospitalized in Rome. The Vatican had said earlier on Friday that the pope had suffered a bronchial spasm, and his condition remains uncertain.
From Sunday to Tuesday, Rio’s top 12 samba schools will perform their Carnival parades at the Sambadrome.
