The Rey Momo of the Barranquilla Carnival is one of the most symbolic and representative figures of this celebration, which has been declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
Although for many years his role was less visible than that of the Carnival Queen, over time, he has become a central character in the narrative, identity, and popular spirit of the festivities.
Origins and history of the Rey Momo of the Barranquilla Carnival
The character of Rey Momo has its roots in Greek mythology, where Momo was the god of mockery, irony, and satirical criticism. This symbolic legacy was transferred to the Carnival as a representation of humor, irreverence, and freedom of expression — core values of the Barranquilla celebration.
In the Barranquilla Carnival, Rey Momo serves as the male counterpart to the Carnival Queen, accompanying her in parades, official events, and emblematic ceremonies.
Although his presence dates back several decades, the role was officially established in 1995, the year the first formally recognized Rey Momo was chosen: Enrique Salcedo Rivaldo, whose importance was immortalized with a monument in the Simon Bolivar neighborhood.
Since then, Rey Momo has gained greater prominence and institutional recognition, becoming a spokesperson for the most authentic traditions of the carnival and a bridge between the past and the present of the celebration.
The role of Rey Momo in the Barranquilla Carnival
Each year, the Rey Momo is selected from individuals with a close and proven connection to the carnival, such as cultural managers, musicians, choreographers, or leaders of traditional dance groups. Alongside the Carnival Queen, he receives the keys to the city during the Lectura del Bando, the ceremony that officially marks the start of the festivities.
His main function is to ignite the celebration, energize the people, and accompany the major parades, such as the Battle of Flowers and the Grand Parade. He also represents satire, unrestrained joy, and the cultural resilience of a city that has turned its history into celebration.
Rey Momo also fulfills an important role of social inclusion, as in several editions the title has been awarded to community leaders and representatives of popular sectors, recognizing their contribution to preserving carnival traditions.
Experience, tradition, and generational balance
One distinctive feature of Rey Momo is that he is generally several years older than the Carnival Queen. This difference is tied to the very nature of the role. While the queen symbolizes youth, beauty, and the energy of the present and future, Rey Momo embodies experience, memory, and the continuity of tradition.
The selection favors long and solid trajectories within the Carnival, which explains why many Reyes Momo are men with decades of participation in comparsas, dances, and musical expressions. In this way, the celebration achieves a balance between what is new and what is inherited.
The Rey Momo of the Barranquilla Carnival 2026
In 2026, the Rey Momo of the Barranquilla Carnival is Adolfo Maury Cabrera, a renowned cultural manager whose life has been deeply connected to the oldest roots of the celebration.
His appointment not only highlights his personal career but also serves as a collective tribute to those who have devoted decades to preserving and passing on the carnival’s popular traditions.
Maury is the director of the Congo Grande of Barranquilla, considered the oldest dance of these festivities, with more than 150 years of uninterrupted participation, making him a living bearer of the city’s cultural memory.
Officially named Rey Momo in September 2025 by the board of Carnaval de Barranquilla S.A.S., Maury assumed the role with the mission of representing experience, wisdom, and the continuity of tradition, in symbolic contrast to the youth and energy embodied by the Carnival Queen, Michelle Char Fernandez.
Together with her and the Children’s Carnival Kings, Sharon Acosta and Joshua Ortiz, he accompanies the main parades and official events, igniting the celebration and reaffirming the value of popular culture as a central pillar of the Carnival.
One of the most significant moments of his reign took place during the 2026 Guacherna, held on Feb. 6, when his costume paid an emotional tribute to Maria Moñitos, one of the most iconic, beloved, and remembered costumes of the Barranquilla Carnival. Titled “Heritage of Maria Moñitos,” the outfit marked a milestone in the recent history of the celebration, becoming the first time a Rey Momo paid a direct tribute to this character from the carnival’s oral and visual tradition.
This year, the Rey Momo Parade will take place on Vía 40, this Saturday, Feb. 14, at 2:00 p.m.