Growing up in Goa, King Momo has been a mythical king, who wears a crown and regal attire and is often accompanied by Queen Momo and an entourage of dancers and singers, leading the four-day Carnival celebrations. Every child would rush ahead just to see the grandeur with which King Momo’s float would be decorated and his strong voice declaring the Carnival open was a moment to celebrate. For Cleeven Mathew Fernandes, from Benaulim, this excitement was a family affair. He had grown up watching his uncles wear the King Momo crown and then as a young boy of 12 years, his father Roque Tome Fernandes became king Momo for the first time.
“I was not even born when my uncles began the parades as King Momo, but I witnessed my father and my uncle, Bondo, take on this prestigious role. When my father became King Momo in 2000, I was already captivated by the excitement and vibrancy of the festival. Growing up around Carnival, I quickly became part of the festivities. I would blow up balloons, play with colors, and dress up in my sisters’ clothes, complete with makeup and artificial hair, fully immersing myself in the spirit of celebration. The craze for Carnival was undeniable; it was in our blood,” says Cleeven, who has been attempting for the title since 2022.
Beyond Carnival:
A Life at Sea
Cleeven is currently on vacation in Goa. He believes that he is the first seaman to become King Momo in the state. While on the passenger cruise, he always promotes the beauty and culture of Goa, not forgetting the grandeur of Goa’s Carnival. “I often tell everyone that Goa has the best Carnival after Rio de Janeiro’s famous Carnival, much to the amusement of my colleagues. They laugh and remind me, "You are talking about Goa, India," but I firmly believe our Carnival holds its own unique charm and legacy,” says Cleeven.
A Message to the Youth
“To the young participants, dancers, and float designers, my message is simple: come with energy, unity, and a spirit of celebration. Forget your exams and daily pressures for these four days and immerse yourselves in the magic of Carnival. It is a time to bond as a community, spread joy, and keep the Carnival tradition alive for generations to come. As King Momo, I embrace my role with honor, carrying forward a legacy of entertainment and festivity. Let the Carnival begin!,” concludes Cleeven on a positive note.
The Journey to Becoming King Momo
His path to becoming King Momo was not instantaneous. When his father was seriously ill, Cleeven thought of becoming King Momo to honor him. All brilliant musicians, the four brothers, Timoteo, 88, Lourenco, Tome and Bondo had been King Momo over the years. Cleeven now becomes the first from the next generation. “The role is about bringing joy and entertainment to the people, embracing the very essence of the Carnival spirit. However, I consider this my first and last festival as King Momo. Now that my father is well, it feels even more meaningful to have him by my side as I take on this role,” explains Cleeven.
This year, Cleeven’s sisters, Flavia and Achilia, will be joining the festivities as
King Momo especially in Panjim and Margao.
How the Carnival Parade began with the first King Momo,
Timoteo Fernandes
In 1965, taking inspiration from a Carnival parade in Brazil, Timoteo Fernandes led a parade of a group of Panjim youngsters on the streets on a bullock cart, playing musical instruments with two guitar, a bandolin, violin, bongos and a bass box and woke up the city from its afternoon siesta. “I met an owner of a bullock cart from Merces and decorated it at Patto Bridge, Panjim. I stood in front dressed as King Momo and asked my 15-20 friends to come along with me singing
and dancing till Municipal Garden,” says Timoteo. This was the first Carnival after Liberation.
The following year, Timoteo was allowed to use Vasco Alvares’ open jeep of Panjim Municipality with Lourenco Fernandes, Timoteo’s brother becoming the second King Momo. The parade went from Patto Bridge, passing through Club Nacional, Club Vasco-da-Gama and concluding at Municipal Garden.
The Carnival celebrations was constituted in 1967.
Designing the Costume
The costume is a crucial part of the King Momo persona. Cleeven designed his own outfit, with the help of his parents, incorporating elements that make it unique while paying homage to past traditions. With just 15 days to prepare, they worked diligently, drawing inspiration from his father's time as King Momo. The result is a dazzling gold ensemble, with an extravagant bejewelled crown and an eagle-topped staff, a symbol of power and royalty.