The street Carnival in São Luís, Maranhão features the vibrant and traditional figure of 'Fofão', celebrated for its unique aesthetic that embraces 'ugliness' as a cultural expression.
In the historical center of São Luís, Maranhão, the heat is a constant presence, momentarily cooled by a breeze from the ocean, as a lively group of carnival-goers proudly showcase vibrant colors amidst the old facades and worn sidewalks. The atmosphere is filled with rhythmic steps and raucous sounds, with distant shouts of 'coisa feia' echoing as a reaction to the unconventional scene. This spectacle of the 'fofões', unique to the Maranhão Carnival, embraces a different standard of beauty, where the more grotesque the mask, the more it aligns with the 'fofão' identity, turning what might be considered unattractive into a vibrant form of artistic expression.
