For Joaquim âZĂ©â Alves, now officially named by the cityâs mayor during a televised ceremony, the journey is both humbling and exhilarating. âI never imagined that a beachâball trick would become a symbol of unity,â he said, his voice echoing over the roar of the crowd. âIf my rear can bring people together, then maybe weâre all just dancing to the same beat inside.â
As the sun rises over Rioâs iconic mountains, the city prepares for the next carnival. One thing is certain: the legend of ButtâMan will live onânot just as a comedic footnote, but as a testament to Rioâs boundless capacity for joy, creativity, and the belief that every body, no matter its shape, has a rhythm waiting to be celebrated. This article is part of our âCarnival Chroniclesâ series, exploring the evolving narratives that shape Brazilâs most iconic celebration.
The committee, after much deliberation and a few nights of samba-fueled brainstorming, decided to embrace the phenomenon. The result: , a weekâlong series of events that fused the traditional pageantry of Rioâs carnival with the playful spirit that the ButtâMan legend embodied. Buttman Carnaval Rio XX
Around the throne, dozens of dancers in feathered costumes performed the samba de roda , their skirts swishing in perfect sync. At the top of the throne, a performer dressed as ButtâManâcomplete with a bright orange jumpsuit, a stylized cape shaped like a stylized, nonâsexualized silhouette, and a massive, comically oversized âcrownâ that resembled a pair of winged sandalsâraised a glittering pandeiro in the air, calling the crowd to the rhythm. One of the most popular units was the Bumbum Brigade , a troupe of 150 drummers, dancers, and acrobats whose costumes featured bold, geometric patterns reminiscent of traditional barracĂ”es (carnival trucks). Their most distinctive feature: a series of inflatable, semiâtransparent âbuttocksâ that bobbed and swayed in time with the drums, creating a visual echo of the musicâs pulsating beats.
| Segment | Music Style | Notable Artists | Signature Piece | |---------|------------|----------------|-----------------| | | Traditional samba de roda with pandeiro and cuĂca | Maria do Samba , Grupo Malandrinho | âBalanço da Bundaâ | | MidâParade Groove | AfroâBrazilian percussion fused with electronic bass | Banda de Tambores da Lapa , DJ Carioca | âBumâBeatâ (Remix) | | Grand Finale | Orchestral samba-enredo with brass, strings, and choir | Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel | âTrono da Bunda â O Hinoâ | For Joaquim âZĂ©â Alves, now officially named by
The quickly became a staple of Rioâs carnival calendar, a night where anyone could don a playful âbuttâmaskâ (a stylized, nonâerotic accessory) and dance the night away. Local DJ Ana âBumâ Pereira curated the set, mixing classic samba tracks with contemporary funk carioca, ensuring the rhythm never stopped. Epilogue: What Lies Ahead? The success of Buttman Carnaval Rio XX has sparked conversations about the future of carnival in Brazil. Scholars argue that the event demonstrates how carnaval can evolve without abandoning its rootsâby embracing humor, encouraging participation from all walks of life, and promoting a positive body image.
When a sudden gust of wind lifted his ball and sent it rolling across the shoreline, ZĂ©, in a moment of pure improvisation, hopped onto the inflatable sphere, using his rear to keep it steady. The sight was absurd, ridiculous, and, to the delight of his friends, utterly sambaâworthy . A laugh erupted, the music swelled, and a chant rose from the crowd: The phrase stuck. Over the next few weeks, ZĂ©âs impromptu âbuttâbalancing actâ turned into a playful ritual at every rehearsal, each time getting louder, more elaborate, and more theatrical. By the time the 2023 carnival planning committee convened, the legend of ButtâMan was already a beloved inside joke among the bloco leaders. Chapter 1: From Folklore to Official Parade When the cityâs Department of Cultural Heritage announced that the 2024 Carnival (officially Carnaval Rio XX ) would feature a âheritage iconâ segmentâintended to celebrate the quirkiest symbols of Rioâs popular cultureâa petition circulated online demanding that ButtâMan be elevated from meme to official mascot. The petition amassed over 400,000 signatures in three days, a testament to the power of humor in the metropolis. One thing is certain: the legend of ButtâMan
The decision was more than a marketing stunt. It signaled a conscious effort by the city to recognize the cultural democracy of Rioâwhere a beachâball trick could share the same stage as historic samba schools. It also served as a reminder that carnival, at its core, is about community, improvisation, and joy. 1. The Flagship Float â âO Trono da Bundaâ The centerpiece of the parade was a massive, 35âmeter float christened O Trono da Bunda (âThe Throne of the Rearâ). Designed by renowned set designer Luiz Fernando de Souza , it resembled a colossal, gilded throne perched atop a wave of glittering fabric. The throneâs backrest was a stylized, abstract representation of a human posterior, rendered in gold leaf, turquoise, and emerald sequins.