Dec 28

In Parentins we attended the Boi Bumba (pronounced boy boom bah) in the new convention center which is enclosed & air conditioned.  Unfortunately the ceiling is much lower than the open air practice arena where we used to see the performance and the really large costumes couldn't be used.  The actual 3 day show in June is in a 35,000 people stadium.  The Boi Bumba evolved from a traditional Brazilian folkloric festivity of mixed African & European origins.  It combines theater, drums music, dancing and magnificent Carnival style costuming.  It evolved into an annual competition between two boi (meaning bull) teams, each with several thousand members.  One team is Caprichoso in blue and representing the black bull.  The other is Garantido in Red and representing the red bull.  The friendly competition is held on June 28, 29 & 30 each year and each night each team puts on a 3 hour performance.  Judging has many factors which include the audience, interpretation of the tale, costuming etc.  The winning team has the privilege of performing for the next year both in Parintins and around the country.  People flock in from all over to see the event and wear team colors much like American gridiron fans on game day.  Houses are even painted red or blue and there are black & white telephone booths around town.  It's a loud and fast paced performance with the storyteller singing out the story line while drums beat away in a frenzy.  There are spectacular floats & costumes with lots of brightly colored feathers.  The floats are large and some have performers inside them to appear as the float is moved onto the floor.  Our performance was only 45 minutes and caipirinhas were served.