This year’s King Momo comes from a distinguished lineage—a bit of royalty, one could say. Cleeven Fernandes, King Momo 2025, is the son of Tome Fernandes, who was King Momo four times, nephew of Timoteo Fernandes, Goa’s first King Momo in 1965, and also nephew of Lourenco and Bondo, who have dutifully worn the carnival king’s crown.
So, for Cleeven, this carnival is special. For the first time in Goa’s carnival history, the son of one and nephew of three former King Momos will proclaim his reign of five days of fun and gaiety.
Coming from a family with a rich carnival legacy, Cleeven now continues that tradition of 60 years, becoming a torchbearer of this great honour. While it is an incredible honour to carry on the family’s legacy, the responsibility is immense, and the crown was not easily earned.
“I have been applying for the King Momo position since 2022 and I didn’t give up. In the last two years, I have been even selected in the semi-finals. But this year has been lucky for me,” said Cleeven, who was constantly answering congratulatory phone calls and messages from family and friends in Goa and abroad while he shared his merriment plans for the five days during his chat with Gomantak Times Digital.
I am very grateful that I am continuing my father’s and my family’s legacy of being King Momo. This is the first time that a King Momo is also a shippy.Cleeven Fernandes, King Momo 2025
“I am very grateful that I am continuing my father’s and family’s legacy as King Momo. This is the first time that a King Momo is also a seafarer (person working on a ship),” he says and laughs, as he relaxes at his house in Benaulim.
Recalling childhood carnival memories, he says, “When my father became King Momo, I was still in school and it was a matter of pride for me as all my classmates would call me the son of the king, which eventually made me the prince.”
Carnival this year is scheduled from February 28 to Mach 4, 2025, and will feature vibrant float parades, lively music, captivating performances. The theme for this year’s carnival parade is ‘Unity Among Religions'.
“When I was young, I used to see my father and uncles participating in carnival floats. That joy is just unexplainable. During Bondo’s time, he made me his bodyguard and it was nice to experience that thrill. This year, I’ll have my sisters as the queens in Panjim and Margao. My elder sister will accompany me in Panjim and the younger one in Margao,” he says, as his youngest sister prepares to click a few of her brother’s photos.
Considering himself lucky and fortunate to be King Momo, Cleeven will be back sailing on ship later in March this year, but right now, he’s concentrating on the task at hand.
Turning to his costume, Cleeven excitedly said that it is going to be different. “There are many layers and gold chains that will make this cloak a very unique creation. It will be very hot and humid, but to get to be King Momo is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
From planning the costume to the minute detailing in the crown, Cleeven is making sure that every aspect is taken care of. “I took assistance from my father to make the crown which weighs around a kilo or more. I have studded the crown with artificial diamonds and stones – they will sparkle when the light or even the sun rays fall on it.”
Yet, carnival is not all fun, there are social messages too. The theme for this year’s carnival parade is ‘Unity Among Religions’. Ask Cleeven why this theme and he promptly replied, “There has been so much hate and disparity among various religions, not just in the world, but in Goa too. Where are the days when people of different religions would visit each others' homes and celebrate festivitals?”
Carnival this year is scheduled from February 28 to Mach 4, 2025, and will feature vibrant float parades, lively music, captivating performances, and a celebration of Goa’s unique cultural heritage, drawing thousands of tourists and participants.