Manaus Family's Flour Shower Tradition: Celebrating Brazil's Goals Since 2014

A family in Manaus, Brazil, has maintained a unique tradition of celebrating goals during World Cup matches involving the Brazilian national team by showering each other with wheat flour. This custom began in 2014, following Brazil's significant 7-1 defeat against Germany, as a way to cope with the frustration of conceding goals. The tradition takes place in a village in the Petrópolis neighborhood, located in the city's South Zone. Initially, the idea, conceived by Marcelo Souza, was met with surprise when he first threw flour during a match, but it quickly evolved into a playful retaliation among family members. Today, an average of 17 relatives gather at the house, which once belonged to Marcos and Marcelo's grandparents, to participate in the flour-throwing festivities, regardless of whether Brazil scores or concedes. Marcos Souza, a naval welder, emphasizes that the tradition fosters family unity and provides leisure, stating that the flour must fly during every game. Even though Marcelo now lives in Nova Olinda do Norte, the family continues the custom. Neighbors have grown accustomed to the 'flour party,' often watching and recording the celebrations, with some neighborhood children even joining in. The family also takes responsibility for cleaning the street after each match to prevent any issues with the community, even cleaning a neighbor's flour-covered car after a recent game.