Carnival in Brazil usually brings to mind sequins, bold costumes, and clouds of glitter drifting through crowded streets. Yet in the coastal town of Paraty, the celebration takes a different turn. Instead of sparkle and satin, partygoers head straight for mud. This unusual Carnival tradition has become one of southern Brazil’s most talked-about events, drawing locals and curious travelers alike.
Near the historic colonial center of Paraty, revelers gather at Jabaquara Beach and coat their bodies in thick gray sludge from the mangroves. Under the intense Brazilian sun, the shoreline fills with people rolling in the silty shallows until everyone blends into one muddy crowd.
Charles Garcia Pessoa, a 37-year-old entrepreneur, summed up the spirit of the event: “Everyone is kind of the same (…), those who have money and those who don’t: everyone comes here to jump into the mud.”
Once covered, participants march along the sand chanting “Uga! Uga!” in playful caveman-style calls. Musicians lead the way, turning the beach into a rhythmic procession that feels both raw and celebratory.
How the Tradition Began
Instagram | @paagerd | Under the blazing sun, revelers roll in mangrove mud, chant together, and celebrate as equals on the sandy shore.
According to Paraty’s tourism site, the mud party dates back to 1986. A group of friends playing in the mangroves realized they were no longer recognizable after covering themselves in mud. They walked into the city’s historic center and immediately drew attention.
The following year, they returned with a theme. Covered in mud, they presented themselves as a prehistoric tribe during Carnival. They carried skulls, vines, and bones.
As they chanted through the streets, a new Carnival ritual was born. Over the years, it grew into a beloved annual gathering.
Matt Bloomfield, a New Zealander who runs a film festival, attended after seeing coverage of the previous year’s event. “Everyone’s being so creative, you see people around decorating themselves with leaves,” he said. “It’s a great alternate version of Carnival.”
Unlike the glitter-heavy parades seen across Brazil, Paraty’s mud Carnival centers on raw fun and shared experience. At Jabaquara Beach, thick layers of mud replace costumes, turning the crowd into a single, unrecognizable mass.
Since its start in 1986, this tradition has stood apart, offering a bold and earthy twist on the country’s most famous celebration.