Curupira, the fiery‑haired trickster from Brazilian Indigenous folklore, has been named the mascot of COP30 in the Amazon. Famous for his backward feet that mislead intruders, Curupira symbolizes forest protection amid rising threats from illegal logging, gold mining and land‑clearing. First lady Rosângela "Janja" da Silva promoted the image ahead of the summit in Belém, while President Lula has framed the event as the "Forest COP." Critics on the right, including lawmaker Nikolas Ferreira, have mocked the choice.
Curupira Chosen as COP30 Mascot — The Fiery‑Haired Guardian of the Amazon
Curupira, the fiery‑haired trickster from Brazilian Indigenous folklore, has been named the mascot of COP30 in the Amazon. Famous for his backward feet that mislead intruders, Curupira symbolizes forest protection amid rising threats from illegal logging, gold mining and land‑clearing. First lady Rosângela "Janja" da Silva promoted the image ahead of the summit in Belém, while President Lula has framed the event as the "Forest COP." Critics on the right, including lawmaker Nikolas Ferreira, have mocked the choice.
09:51 PM, 11/10/2025Environment
Curupira chosen as COP30 mascot in the Amazon
Armed with a spear and a shock of flame‑red hair, Curupira — a playful yet fierce forest guardian from Brazil's Indigenous folklore — has been selected as the mascot for this year's UN climate summit, COP30, hosted in the Amazon.
The name Curupira is believed to combine the Tupi‑Guarani words curumim (boy) and pira (body). Clad in a loincloth of leaves, the legendary figure is most notable for his backward‑pointing feet.
By walking with reversed feet through the jungle, the trickster spirit is said to mislead poachers and other intruders who attempt to follow his trail, making him a powerful symbol for forest protection.
Rosângela "Janja" da Silva, Brazil's first lady, frequently wore a T‑shirt bearing the mascot's image at official events in the run‑up to the conference — an indication of how Curupira has been used to personify Brazil's conservation message as COP30 opens in Belém, a major gateway city to the Amazon.
"Curupira is above all a fantastic, magical being -- a defender of the forest, a protector of trees and animals,"
said Januaria Alves, author of a book on the mythical figure, in a statement released by the UN climate conference organisers.
Beyond the centuries‑old folklore that is common in northern Brazil, the Amazon faces real and immediate threats: illegal timber trafficking, unauthorized gold mining and agricultural actors who clear or burn forest to seize land. The rainforest plays a crucial role in stabilizing the global climate by absorbing large amounts of greenhouse gases.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has placed the Amazon at the centre of what he calls the "Forest COP," emphasizing conservation and sustainable development during the summit.
Not everyone welcomed the mascot. Right‑wing lawmaker Nikolas Ferreira mocked the choice on X, writing: "Excellent choice to represent Brazil and our forests. He walks backward -- and catches fire." The quip highlights the political divisions that surround environmental policy in Brazil.
Whether seen as a cultural emblem or political symbol, Curupira links Brazil's Indigenous heritage to contemporary debates about protecting the world's largest tropical rainforest.