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Amazon Indians

Caboclos

Boi Bumbß: Local Amazon Festival

During my stay in Manaus I have become fascinated by a local tradition known as the Boi Bumbß. It is an old caboclo dance, and music, which tells of a local legend. Each June, there is a festival in Parintins – a small town which is a day or two downriver from Manaus. People travel to Parintins from Manaus, BelΘm, and other places to take part in this festival. There is lots of dancing, music, exotic costumes, fireworks, and even special effects such as fire-breathing dragons. People put a lot of effort into making the festival very special and an event to remember.

The legend behind Boi Bumbß tells of a pregnant woman who was having cravings for food. She and her husband both lived on a farm, where her husband worked as a farmhand. One day, the woman’s cravings got especially bad – she demanded that her husband should kill the farmer’s prized bull so that she could eat its meat. Fearing that something might happen to the child if he ignored his pregnant wife’s cravings, the husband killed the bull at once.

When the farmer learned that his favourite bull had been killed he was very unhappy. He sent the farmhand with orders to try and raise the animal back from the dead. To do this, the farmhand brought in a local pajΘ – an Indian medicine man or shaman who danced around the dead bull, singing and casting spells. After much effort, the medicine man was able to bring the bull back to life – making everyone happy and causing them to dance for joy.

No one is really sure if this story is true – but it is the origin of the Boi Bumbß festival. During the festival, many people dance to re-enact the story.

The Boi Bumbß music is very good – it is a mixture of traditional Indian tribal rhythm with more modern Brazilian music. Brazilians love to dance, so the music is extremely danceable. Each year, groups invent new dances (and new variations of the Boi Bumbß music). The groups then dance at the festival, wearing their costumes – trying very hard to outperform each other and to be voted best of the festival.

After this year’s festival, some of the groups came to Manaus to demonstrate what they had done. As a result, there are now many people here dancing Boi Bumbß dances. Sometimes when I walk past a local park in the evening, where there is a small stage and a sound system, I can see lots of people dancing the Boi Bumbß. Everyone enjoys its – but it is enjoyed mostly by the local children because they get to wear fancy costumes, dance, and have lots of fun.

While at Aria·, one of the people who danced Boi Bumbß at the festivals tried to teach the dance to me. It was very complicated, and difficult for me to learn. But, now I know a little and can dance with the others. I’m not very good, but the dance is quite fun . . . even if it does get a little too hot dancing on these steamy tropical nights.