Bumba Meu Boi
bumba meu boi interactive play celebrated brazil originated th century form social criticism lowerclass brazilian mock criticize higher social status comedic folklore story told song dance though well known internationally carnival brazilian festival older deeply rooted culture brazil tale vary depending region social setting practiced however essential theme remains focus death resurrection ox principal figure include ox white master cavalo marinho pernambuco black pregnant woman catirina vaqueiro cowboy mateus chico pai francisco vaqueiros cowboy índios índias caboclos indigenous people priest doctor indigenous healer pajés audience also key component performance passionate response spectator provide hectic atmosphere additionally performer known become playfully physical audience today bumba meu boi separated traditional modern practice however traditional form found throughout country version seen brazil june well december christmas january cultural complex bumbameuboi maranhão declared intangible cultural heritage humanity unesco december many different origin bumba meu boi proposed however commonly believed one midthcentury brazil lowerclass community left little wealthy forced live dreadful life rough condition bumba meu boi born bring joy deprived community well provide men internal form rebellion community consisted slave rural worker start bumba meu boi created people mixed origin significant cut festival racial tie became popular throughout northeastern community st century people began performing entertainment others rather merely selfenjoyment point evolved family affair communal one also made important within lowerclass brazilian social life brought everyone together th century play became annual biannual event transitioning modern form festival throughout th century turn st century festival experienced large amount popularization spreading corner nation created large variation festival form depending central value community celebrated today variation brazilian celebrate sorted two main category people continue celebrate festival traditional form mainly live northern northeastern amazonian city village especially maranhão though also exists central region well form festival still maintain large focus rebellious feature play towards upper class providing brazil lower class strong cultural connection brazil past embrace modern form constantly altering modern trend aroused medium form festival allow brazilian embrace current festive culture brazil rationally form exists populated modernized city rio de janeiro perceived traditionalist lost meaning celebration ox placed centerpiece time seen animal high economic regard due use farming ox also highly involved colonist social life bullfighting calfdancing popular thought passed lowerclass portuguese family similar social activity traced back much portugal literal translation bumba ox could dance ox almost one hundred bumbameuboi group state maranhão subdivided several sotaque sotaque stand accent characteristic manifested clothes choice instrument type cadence music choreography sotaques matraca zabumba orquestra baixada maranhense costa de mão appear especially month june festas juninas place called arraiais involves several character owner farm amo master pai francisco vaqueiro cowboy slave wife catirina cowboy vaqueiros índios índias caboclos indigenous people ox cazumbás plot recall typical history region social economic relation colonial period marked monoculture extensive cattle breeding slavery mixing european african indigenous culture famous group maranhão boi de maracanã boi da maioba boi da pindoba sotaque matraca boi de são simão boi de nina rodrigues boi de axixá boi de morros boi de rosário boi brilho da ilha boi novilho branco sotaque orquestra boi de leonardo boi de vila passos boi da fé em deus boi unidos venceremos boi de guimarães sotaque zabumba boi união da baixada boi de pindaré boi unidos de santa fé boi penalva bairro de fátima sotaque baixada boi rama santa boi brilho da sociedade boi soledade boi brilho da areia branca sotaque costa de mão bumbameuboi involves devotion saint june são joão são pedro são marçal important manifestation popular culture state attracting thousand people feast saint peter saint marçal mark end festas juninas feast st peter various group ox go st peter chapel thank june season blessing feast são marçal st martial large batalhões bumba meu boi matraca two small piece wood beaten produce rhythm neighborhood joão paulo são luís capital maranhão typical dance maranhão cacuriá tambor de crioula present model presentation bumba meu boi maranhão tell story auto replaced simplified story greater emphasis song toadas dance finding single true plot behind story bumba meu boi near impossible due variance throughout different community brazil however common performance go follows musical begin singing overture form chorus may sing multitude song specifically bumba meu boi usually first walk room cavalo marinho amo owner farm wearing costume make appear though riding horse entertains audience rhythmic dancing chorus announces entrance important character cowboy named mateus pai francisco may another cowboy named birico pregnant woman named catirina usually enters cowboy played man almost always female role performance dance catirina proclaims need consume tongue ox bull fear baby die sometimes certain birth defect doesnt story follows mateus pai francisco leaf find ox many comedic encounter secondary character giant donkey form story ox belongs village journey find next ox enters room audience cheer beloved role ox may perform number dance often one known lundu involved tap dancing ox killed audience remorse even cry often ox killed attack cowboy catirina audience happens accident song sung mourning death ox followed mateus cutting ox tongue offering catirina next cavalo marinho amothe owner farm reenters demand capture one killed ox useful animal farm also request doctor indigenous healer pajésin maranhão try bring ox back life doctor arrive priest arrives bless ox simultaneously marry mateus catirina story alters largely one sometimes two doctor may come try variety comical procedure save ox witch also known come attempt save ox mocked audience maranhão indigenous healer pajés summoned save ox ox resurrects mooing participate huge feast commemorate miracle form doctor place special green leaf ox mouth ox revived audience cheer sing song praise dance around ox point final scene capitão mato police arrives man dress military outfit mocked audience character play well lastly farwell begin chorus sings performer dance wellmannered offensive depending entertainer opinion reaction audience performance band typically positioned visually side stage room responsible creating beat performer dance band consists string air percussion maranhão also matracas maracás pandeirão pandeiros tambor onça zabumbas type drum chorus offscene play responsible introduction character appear onscene within chorus violeiro cantador guitar player whose energy speed play important atmosphere play additionally responsible improvisation new song go along occurring musical surrounding community amo maranhão represents role owner farm command group aid whistle maracá maracá master sings principal toadas song cavalo marinho pernambuco main character highest authority play first arrive onscene typically white representing portuguese heritage wear naval captain costume including colored coat golden ornament hanging also red striped pant red satin ribbon across chest sometimes crown made paper covered small mirror ribbon additionally seen carrying sword protruding addition costume making appear though riding horse vaqueiros cowboy character consist mateus pai francisco maranhão often birico sebastião may also cowboy well however insignificant role play energetic jokester obey order cavalo marinho meant arouse audience laughter remarkable dancing vaqueiros tend mainly mock role authority play cavalo marinho doctor priest capitão mato police lastly mateus tends decorated many noisy bell hanging clothes birico typically wear mask carry whip hand indios india caboclos indigenous people mission locate arrest pai francisco presentation bumba meu boi maranhão provide beautiful visual effect due beauty clothes choreography perform group especially sotaque de matraca royal caboclo caboclo de pena feather greatest outfit bumba meu boi caboclos de fita pessoas hat colorful ribbon blend cowboy party catirina almost female role bumba meu boi played man black provocative woman also pregnant mistress pai franciscomateus also comedic character known dance frantic samba significant story one request arrival bull tongue sometimes secondary female character come catirina named dona joana also black woman played man normally wear amusing ornament pai francisco chico mateus catirinas husband vaqueiro cowboy dress simpler clothes role provoke laughter audience ox one two men structure usually made bamboo covered colored fabric velvet head ox skull mask adorned flower star ribbon ox largest effect crowd death resurrection basic framework play maranhão called miolo person responsible evolution choreography ox capitão mato aggressive man wearing military costume represents authority police heavily mocked audience priest played man wearing elegant robe sort usually type religious symbol cross mary mother jesus arrives onscene bless dead bull marry mateus catirina like character high social status priest heavily mocked disrespected audience comedic character doctor typically played one many men wearing higherclass gown procedure save ox life usually foolish ridiculed crowd maranhão indigenous healer pajés try bring ox back life longer version mateus chico pai francisco birico embark journey find ox secondary character stumble upon usually two three following burrinha zabelinha role unattractive woman riding donkey tends please audience fast tap dance though dance impressive character meant look unorthodox gigante role giant played man wearing mask made calabash big mouth nose eye represent giant also wear large cotton wig ride horse similar consume design cavalo marinho role known character acrobatic dancing music sound like death scream forest sound caboclinha man play amerindian girl wearing costume made feather ride goat often skillfully dismount goat kill arrow ema exotic bird played boy weighed straw basket full trash move like bird flapping arm frantically meant look foolish babau truly dreadful animal played man sheet clicking together jaw horse mutuca – maranhão responsible distribution cachaça dancer sleep marathon presentation bumba meu boi cazumbá maranhão character covered green leaf wear horrifying mask called arrives uninvited save lifeless ox performing witchcraft ritual boi music parintins folklore festival brazilian carnival watt meredith w simone linhares ferro coexistence folk popular culture vehicle social historical activism transformation bumbameuboi northeast brazil journal popular culture – boi bumbá – boi bumba history information photo festivalpig boi bumbá – parintins folklore festival bumba meu boi official parintins festival website rhythm maranhão httpwwwcnfcpgovbrinternaphpidsecao httpwwwmariabrazilorgbumbameuboihtm httpswwwyoutubecomwatchvlcgsqsjzq