June festivals bring colour and culture to Brazil
Brazil is known for its outlandish festivals and carnivals, namely the Rio de Janeiro parade, but there is just as much colour, spectacle and excitement at other events in the South American nation, such as the Boi Bumba festival.
The celebration takes place in north-east Brazil in June and features a religious procession, tribal ritual, giant puppet show, to name but a few, with all the action narrated by the master of ceremonies.
Every year, 35,000 people watch the three-hour event, which consists of both an artistic show and a competition between two teams – Bois Caprichoso and Garantido, Sheila Cirigola, writing for the official website, explains.
Based on myths and folklore, the Boi Garantido is the story of the death and resurrection of an ox. It is thought that the event was founded by Lindolfo Monteverde, listened to the tale told by his grandfather.
The story goes that the ox was a happy and cheerful creature who danced and was deeply loved by the villagers, until one day, Pai Francisco, who worked for the farm owner, killed the animal because his pregnant wife Mae Catirina wanted beef tongue.
A doctor, a priest, the farm owner and his daughter Sinhazinha strived to save the ox’s life and, after much praying, he was resuscitated. There followed a huge party and Pai Francisco was forgiven.
Years later, Monteverde remembered the story and he built a wooden frame, covered it in fabric and paraded around Parinitins, giving birth to Boi Bumba. However, he became very ill after joining the army and prayed to St John the Baptist, promising that if he ever regained his health, the parade would take place every year as long as he lived.
His prayer was answered, so beginning the Garantido element of the festival.
Meanwhile, the Caprichoso is thought to have been created by the Cid brothers in 1913. They moved to Parintins in search of work, wanting to start a new family and new life. They also had their prayers answered by St John the Baptist and, in his honour, they built an ox puppet.
Nowadays, the festival features a competition between the two bois – Garantido is white with a red heart on its forehead, while Caprichoso is black and has a blue star.
It has also evolved to incorporate Indian culture and these days the music is strongly influenced by Asian customs, while the tribe tuxaus parades to the beat of an Indian dance.
The winner of the Boi Bumba competition is chosen by a jury, which judges the presentation of each Boi based on various criteria. The crowd in the arena, the Bumbodromo, get very involved in the decision, cheering for their favourite side, dancing and waving flags.
Meanwhile, another festival which takes place in June is Festas Juninas, whose origins lie in Europe.
This series of eventsm, brought over by the Portuguese, celebrates the saints Anthony, John and Peter and the Brazilians party with lots of traditional foods, drinks and a theatrical dance, according to Laura Duro, writer for Brazzil magazine.
“In the big melting pot that Brazil is, Festa Junina was also well accepted by the native habitants and many more beliefs, traditions and costumes joined the party,” Ms Duro explains.
