Macunaíma is a lazy anti-hero born Black in Amazonas. After his mother's death he moves with his two brothers to Rio de Janeiro, but along his journey, he bathes in a fountain and becomes Caucasian. Once in Rio, he meets by chance the killer guerrilla woman Ci, who wears an amulet made of stone, and they fall in love with each other. They live together and a few months later, Ci delivers a Black baby. A bomb for a terrorist attack is planted in the baby's stroller; when it goes off, Ci and the baby die and the amulet vanishes. A very strong man finds it and Macunaíma tries to recover it. In the end, he returns to the jungle.—Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Our story begins with Macunaima's miraculous birth to an old woman in a tiny jungle settlement. Born fully grown, he discovers his life's purpose which leads him and his family and followers on a journey to the Big City. More miracles occur on the way, but Macunaima still has the heart and mind of a child. In the Big City, terrorists enlist him in their revolutionary schemes. In the Big City he learns that nuts are not always food and other hilarious life lessons.