What is the male partner of a Rio samba school’s flag bearer called?

The male partner of a Rio samba school’s flag bearer is called the mestre-sala.

The mestre-sala performs with the porta-bandeira, the dancer who carries the school’s flag. Together, they form one of the most important ceremonial pairs in a samba-school parade. Their presentation combines formal gestures, turns, courtly movement, and carefully coordinated interaction with the flag.

Judges evaluate the pair as a dedicated parade element. The mestre-sala is expected to protect and honor the flag while demonstrating grace, control, and awareness of the porta-bandeira’s movements. The performance is therefore more structured than ordinary dancing within a parade section.

Passista means a samba dancer, and puxador usually refers to the lead singer who pulls or leads the samba-enredo. A mestre de bateria directs the percussion section. None of those roles is the flag bearer’s ceremonial partner.