Brazil has been swept up in a sudden craze for whistling-only WhatsApp groups, where the simple rule is that typing and speaking are forbidden on pain of immediate removal. Only voice notes with whistling are allowed, though the content can range from bird imitations to tunes like the theme from The Pink Panther or the introduction to Scorpions’ Wind of Change.
Massive Participation and Rapid Growth
Some groups receive up to 600 voice notes a day, with the most popular performances racking up hundreds of thousands of views on TikTok. New groups are emerging daily in Brazil, the world’s second-largest WhatsApp market, often reaching the 1,024-member limit in less than 24 hours. Administrators then create new groups and repeat the cycle.
Judgment Through Emojis and Stickers
The quality of whistles varies widely, and feedback is given only through emojis and stickers. A good whistle earns a sticker echoing the “absolute cinema” meme, but with Martin Scorsese’s face replaced by a toucan or parakeet and the phrase “absolute assobio” (Portuguese for whistling). Bad whistles often receive criticism that there is more wind than melody.
Some members put in considerable effort, playing karaoke versions of songs in the background and whistling the vocal part, while others simply let out a few chirps while washing dishes.
How the Trend Started
Enzo Dias, an 18-year-old business administration student, created one of the first groups on April 13. “I saw a video online about some groups that already existed and we decided to create one with a few friends just for fun,” he said. “It was meant to be just for us; one friend invited another and before we knew it there were more than 500 people. The next day, we reached maximum capacity and had to create another.”
No one knows exactly how the trend started, but the earliest TikTok posts date back to mid-April. Google Trends data shows that searches for whistling in Brazil reached their highest level on record in April.
Rules and Security Concerns
To maintain the whistling-only rule, some groups close overnight to prevent rule-breaking. Many also require at least one whistle per day to avoid loiterers. Most members are men, though some women-only groups are emerging. The vast majority of groups are free to join and shared on social media, raising digital security risks. Dias noted, “I think most people are in it just for fun, but there are some who seem almost addicted to whistling and spend the entire day doing it.” His group organizes competitions through Instagram, where followers vote on voice note duels.
Niche Groups and Expert Insight
The craze has spawned other highly niche groups where participants imitate dogs, cats, donkeys, or share photos of cars in a single color. Dr. Adriana Amaral, coordinator of the CULTPOP research laboratory at Fluminense Federal University, sees this as a repetition of past internet trends. “Historically, these ephemeral forms of aggregation have always existed and are linked to the way pop culture itself operates: they allow people to channel certain rituals, habits and tastes into communities of affinity,” she said.
Ayran Ferreira, 18, a law student who also runs a group, believes the trend will fade. “People want to take part just because it’s trending online, and they’re creating groups for all sorts of things – I’ve even seen one for imitating the sound of a backhoe – but I think it will eventually fade,” he said.
