King Momo
King Momo or King Momos or King Momus, 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 used to be burnt at the end of the festivities, also being its climax, but this practice is being discouraged in recent times for safety reasons.
Origin
King Momus derives from the Greek god Momus .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. :| Period | Name | |
| 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 Momo of Santos, with the Queen Mira, in Brazilian Carnival of 1988.