Kurupira, the mischievous guardian of the forest from Amazonian folklore with flame-shaped red hair, a loincloth made of leaves and a spear in his hand, is the mascot of COP30, which begins this Monday (10th) in Belém.
- I’m in the queue. “Angela Diniz: Murdered and Condemned” and “The Monster Inside Me”: Streaming Premieres the Week of 11/9-11/15
- It wasn’t just Luisa Mel. Paul McCartney also protested the COP30 meat menu in a letter.
This mythical character of Tupi-Guarani origin looks like a child, but has a unique feature: his feet point backwards. This characteristic confuses poachers and forest predators who try to follow their tracks, causing them to go in the opposite direction and get lost.
The choice is not a casual one. Brazil, which has pledged to end deforestation by 2030, has put forest protection at the center of discussions at the United Nations climate conference, which runs until November 21 in the capital state of Pará.
“Kurpira is above all a fantastical and magical being, the protector of the forest, the protector of forests and hunting,” explains Januaria Alves, author of a book about the legend, quoted in a statement by the COP30 organizers.
First Lady Rosangela Lula da Silva (Janja) promoted the figure by wearing a T-shirt featuring the mascot at several official events before the summit.
In addition to folklore, the Amazon also faces real threats from invaders: illegal loggers, miners, and agricultural explorers who cut down and burn vegetation on suitable land.
The Amazon rainforest, which spans nine countries, is considered essential against climate change because of its ability to absorb greenhouse gases.
At a summit ahead of COP30 last week, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva launched the Tropical Forest Forever Fund (TFFF), an unprecedented instrument that seeks to raise $125 billion (R669 billion) to reward countries that protect their forests.
The announcement came days after official data showed deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon fell by 11% between August 2024 and July 2025, to its lowest level in 11 years.
But not everyone praised Kurupila’s choice.
Nicolas Ferreira (PL/MG), an influential opposition lawmaker and ally of former President Jair Bolsonaro, quipped in X magazine: “It’s a great choice to represent Brazil and our forests. Back off and light the fire.”
About The Author
