Brazilians like to say Carnival is the greatest show on Earth, but what many people do not know is that it is far from being the only big festival in the country. Throughout the year, many regions in Brazil have their own traditional celebrations that are cherished by locals but are little known abroad. Besides all the beauty and fun, understanding their deep cultural significance may explain a lot about Brazilian history and society.
Bumba meu boi
Deep in the Amazon, a battle divides the city of Parintins every year. During the three-day festival, which usually takes place at the end of June, two groups face off in the “Bumbódromo” arena to tell the tale of Boi-Bumbá.
There are some variations of the legend, also known as “Bumba-meu-boi” in the Brazilian Northeast, but the common version tells the story of Mother Catirina, a pregnant slave who wanted to eat the tongue of an ox. Father Francisco, her husband, killed the most beautiful ox on their master’s land. Furious at the death of his prized beast, the slave master locked Father Francisco up and called an indigenous priest (known as a pajé) to bring the animal back to life. Filled with joy at seeing his ox raised from the dead, the master forgives Francisco and Catirina and the entire community celebrates the life of the ox (boi, in Portuguese) with a party: the celebration of Boi Bumbá.
During the
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