Giant Puppets and Their Role in Olinda Carnival

Home » Pernambuco Travel Guide » Giant Puppets and Their Role in Olinda Carnival

The Olinda Carnival in Pernambuco is an important cultural event in the Brazilian scene, characterised by the rhythm of frevo, popular expressions and the presence of giant puppets.

The giant puppets were introduced in 1932 with the Midnight Man, and these papier-mâché visual elements have become icons of local cultural identity, representing both historical and everyday figures.

Bonecos gigantes no carnaval de Olinda PE — Giant puppets at the carnival in Olinda, PE

Olinda: Historical and Cultural Heritage

The city of Olinda in Pernambuco is known for its rich history, stunning natural beauty and valuable cultural heritage, evidenced by the colonial architecture of its churches and mansions, as well as its vibrant cultural events.

The origin of the giant puppets of the Olinda Carnival

1932 marked the beginning of the use of giant puppets in the Olinda Carnival with the creation of the Homem da Meia-Noite (Midnight Man) by the Clube de Alegoria e Crítica o Homem da Meia-Noite (Midnight Man Allegory and Criticism Club).

Video about the history of Olinda’s giant puppets

Conheça a história dos bonecos gigantes de Olinda

Dissemination and recognition of the giant puppets

During the 1980s and 2000s, the giant puppets became popular at the Olinda Carnival. In 2006, Homem da Meia-Noite was recognised as a Living Heritage of the State of Pernambuco. citeturn0search1

Cultural significance of giant puppets

Giant puppets are considered cultural objects used by carnival organisations to construct narratives and characters that remain in the collective memory, carrying a symbolic charge that engages revelers during the festivities.

History of Carnival in Brazil and the Entrudo

The practice of celebrating Carnival in Brazil began in the 17th century with the Entrudo games, which consisted of games in which people doused each other with water. Over time, these games were re-signified to include elements such as rotten eggs and flour, which displeased the local elite. This led to an attempt by the elites to criminalise entrudo, with the aim of replacing it with a celebration more in line with a civilising project for the country.

Abertura do carnaval de Olinda com os três principais bonecos gigantes, O Homem da Meia Noite, A Mulher do Dia e O Menino da Tarde. — Olinda’s carnival opens with the three main giant puppets, O Homem da Meia Noite, A Mulher do Dia and O Menino da Tarde.

How to celebrate Carnival in Recife and Olinda

In cities such as Recife and Olinda, different forms of carnival celebration have developed, including

Troças Carnavalescas: Popular organisations whose parades were simple, with participants walking on foot, accompanied by an orchestra and a banner.
Carnival Clubs: These held more organised parades, with participants wearing costumes and using allegories in their processions.
Blocos de Rua (Lyrical Blocks): Organisations in which musicians used stick and string instruments and sang frevo songs.

These forms of celebration also represented a political and symbolic struggle between the elite and the poorer population.

The formation of national symbols and cultural identity

During the formation of nation states, it was necessary to create symbols capable of uniting people around representations such as language, anthems and flags. The aim was to create a sense of belonging to the country. In this context, the state began to select cultural goods, practices and manifestations that would contribute to the creation of a national identity.

The history of the giant puppets of Olinda

At the beginning of the 20th century, Olinda already had several recognised carnival troupes, such as

Clube Lenhadores de Olinda (1907)
Cariri Mixed Carnival Troupe (1921)
Troça Carnavalesca Prato Misterioso (1925)

However, none of these groups were represented by giant puppets, but rather by banners. The introduction of giant puppets to Olinda’s carnival took place in 1932, with the creation of the Homem da Meia-Noite Carn carnival troupe, a dissident offshoot of the Cariri Mixed Carnival Troupe. citeturn0search1

The Midnight Man: Symbol of the Olinda Carnival

The Midnight Man is Olinda’s oldest giant puppet, about four metres tall. It first appeared on 2 February 1932, the date dedicated to Iemanjá, which establishes a link with Candomblé. The doll, known as the calunga, is a mystical figure that represents the materialisation of the social relations and practices of carnival associations. citeturn0search1

The family of giant puppets

The Woman of the Day: Created in 1967 to keep company with the Midnight Man, she is one of the great attractions of the Olindense Carnival. citeturn0search4
Menino da Tarde: Created in 1974 by Silvio Botelho, it represents the couple’s son and is the third oldest giant doll in Olinda. citeturn0search10

Recognition and Cultural Heritage

In 2006, the Homem da Meia-Noite Allegory and Criticism Club was recognised as a Living Heritage of the State of Pernambuco, highlighting the importance of the institution and the calunga to local culture.

Written by Willy Sievert

Editor of Bahia.ws since its founding in 2009. Based in Salvador, he travels frequently across the Northeast and all of Brazil to keep the guides up to date. Learn more about Willy Sievert →

Published on 21/05/2023 · Updated on 15/04/2025