The bumba-meu-boi is a very attractive unusual comic-dramatic Dance, played during the Brazilian festivals in June. The dance represents the death and the revival. The name of the dance comes from the verb bumbar, which means to beat up. Bumba-meu-boi called also the Ox Dance festival is based on a story that was brought to the small town of Parantins by migrants who came to the region to seek their fortune during the rubber extraction boom in the early 1900s.

The legend, tells the story of a farmer who kills an ox to gratify the caprice of his wife. She  was wanting to eat the ox's tongue. Her husband who was the owner of the ox asked a indigenous shaman for help. After the death of the bull, the shaman brought it back to life. That way God forgave the farmer for killing the bull and everyone were happy and celebrated.

 The dance is a ceremony of human and animal characters, and fantastic creatures from Brazilian mythology. A group of artist used an unique way to introduce the characters with different songs.

The dancer who played the bumba-meu-boi  dance is dressed in creative and very colorful ox costume.  

The 99 year old event - Bumba-meu-Boi festivities are very popular and attractive in north and northeastern Brazil, although celebrations can be found throughout the country. If you are planning to visit Brazil during the June festivals, don’t miss the opportunity to feel the magic of this wonderful tradition.