The document summarizes the history and evolution of the "malandro" figure in Brazilian society. The malandro emerged as a marginalized mixed-race ("mulato") man who lived outside the law, fighting and stealing to survive. Over time, the malandro became romanticized in literature and music as a heroic outlaw. However, by the 1990s the malandro devolved and became solely associated with crime and violence. The document analyzes how the malandro went from a celebrated folk hero to a despised criminal.