Passion in red and blue: Parintins festival celebrates brazilian folklore and popular culture

Abstract

An Enchanted Island protected by the waters of the Amazon River, where for three days the passion for Popular Culture sets the pace to the rhythm of toadas. This is Parintins, a city in the heart of the Amazon, where for 52 years a thrilling Folkloric Festival has been held at the end of June. Considered the second largest festival in Brazil, only surpassed by Rio's Carnaval, the event showcases the "Boi-Bumbá", the dispute between two major folkloric groups of the region, represented by cloth 'oxen': a white one with a red heart design on its forehead, called Garantido; the other black one, with a blue star, called Caprichoso. The fans of each bull become red and blue 'nations', and the island is divided into Colors and Loves.