Banda Mole

Origin

Belo Horizonte, MG

Years Active

1975

Genres

carnaval, marchinha, samba

Instruments

wind instruments

Biography

A República Independente da Banda Mole is a carnival block founded in 1975 in the Lagoinha neighborhood of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. It was born after the end of the "Leões da Lagoinha" block, when revelers and traditional families from the neighborhood decided to create a new association to revive popular parades in the capital of Minas Gerais. The name "Banda Mole" came from a pun on the term "bundamol", used to refer to someone who is a "pushover", intended to show that the people of Minas Gerais also loved Carnival.

Throughout its history, Banda Mole has become one of the most traditional and beloved blocks in Belo Horizonte, drawing crowds and consolidating itself as a symbol of irreverence, freedom, and the appreciation of diversity. The block is known for its costumed revelers, notably the presence of cross-dressers, and for its socio-political critiques in the form of satirical themes, such as the "educassão" theme in 2020, a critique of the Minister of Education at the time. The route of the block, which initially set off from the Lagoinha neighborhood, came to focus on Avenida Afonso Pena, the city's main avenue, and its parade traditionally takes place on the Saturday before Carnival.

Banda Mole has featured various renowned artists in its parades, such as Araketu, Jota Quest, Luiz Caldas, and Diego Martins, consolidating itself as an important stage for Brazilian music during the pre-Carnival season. In 2025, the block celebrated its 50th anniversary with a big party, reaffirming its role in maintaining joy and carnival culture in Belo Horizonte. The band also inspired a carnival block in Santos, which was active between 1977 and 1998.