to assist him with this job, king momo receives a salary of r$ 7,000 to 9,000.

one of the principal symbols of carnival, king momo is inspired by momos, the god of sarcasm and mockery in greek mythology, who lived a life of joy and humor and was expelled from mount olympus for ridiculing the other gods.

historians document that the role or symbol of king momo was first used in roman parties in the 4th or 5th centuries bc, where a fat and outgoing man would parade around decadent parties, signifying the rule of a period of complete freedom.

this history is thought to be the inspiration for brazilian carnival use of king momo.

the king was said to represent things such as excessive eating and drinking, that must be given up before the period of fasting beginning on ash wednesday, the day after the carnival revelry finishes.