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A parade that exalts the diversity of the forest people

A parade that exalts the diversity of the forest people

With an explosion of sounds and colors that echoed the voices of the forest peoples and the connection between Indigenous and Afro-Brazilian cultures, the ox Garantido won the three nights of " Amazonian carnival " shows and took his 33rd title at the Parintins Festival on Monday.

The largest cultural festival in northern Brazil brought together nearly 120,000 visitors since Friday, doubling the population of Parintins , a city nestled on a river island in the Amazon River, to experience "the magic" of Boi-bumbá at its finest.

This folkloric movement, known for its vibrant drums and chants , giant floats, and colorful culture, has its roots in a blend of indigenous, African, and European traditions dating back to the 19th century, when the legend of a "resurrecting ox" began to gain popularity among rural communities.

After three nights of artistic battles at the Bumbódromo, an arena shaped like an ox's head, Caprichoso and Garantido, as the two rival groups of the Parintins carnival are known, dazzled an audience of nearly 25,000 people with their shows full of social criticism and regional pride.

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With an explosion of sounds and colors that echoed the voices of the forest peoples and the connection between Indigenous and Afro-Brazilian cultures, the ox Garantido won the three nights of "Amazonian Carnival" shows and claimed his 33rd Festival title this Monday. ( EFE )

To choose the champion of the carnival, which reached its 58th edition, the jury valued aspects such as the lyrics and music of the songs, floats, respect for the Amazonian legend, the owner of the ox (singer and composer), indigenous rituals and organization of the folkloric group.

Garantido, the greatest champion of Parintins, beat his rival by 0.5 seconds and won the tournament again after three years.

"The festival gains a lot from Garantido's victory . The festival is a product of our state (Amazonas), of our land, and every time we raise the quality of our shows, we also raise the value of that product and of our Amazon," Garantido president Fred Góes told reporters, adding that his ox managed to "change the dynamics of the competition."

Voices of the forest and heritage of the people

Garantido dedicated his first presentation to the " echo of the voices of the forest ", in which he highlighted the diversity of the peoples of the jungle through the legend of Tapyra'yawara , a spiritual entity of great power present in the cosmologies of various indigenous peoples of the Amazon.

On the second night, Garantido dedicated it to exalting the indigenous and Afro-Brazilian popular roots and the tradition of Boi-bumbá, and on the third and final night, he brought the legend of the ' Goddess of the Waters ' to the arena.

  • "The basic foundation is the soul of our people. And the people are the ones who make the show, who give it direction. Here we make art, but in accordance with what the universe guides us," Góes affirmed.
An experience beyond the shows

The Parintins Festival attracted more than 120,000 tourists in 2025 , according to the Amazonas State Secretariat for Culture and Creative Economy.

However, Parintins captivates tourists with much more than nights of shows in the heart of the Amazon, as it is possible to experience the rivalry between Caprichoso and Garantido , outside the arena, especially during the month of June.

  • The proximity of the competition transforms the city into two territories: the blue of Caprichoso and the red of Garantido. In these colors, the passion for Boi-bumbá takes over the streets, families, and traditions.

It is also possible to visit the ox pens to learn more about the history of Caprichoso and Garantido and the local culture, as well as participate in rehearsals .

Gastronomy and tourism

The world's third-largest river island, accessible only by plane or boat, is known for its cuisine, which is both indigenous and riverine, and offers visitors authentic Amazonian dishes, featuring fish dishes such as pirarucu, tambaqui, and tucunaré.

  • You can also try cassava in various shapes and textures; typical fruits like cupuaçu, açaí, and taperebá; and delicacies like tucupí, jambu, and maniçoba.

Visitors can also appreciate buildings such as churches and sanctuaries, and learn about milestones in the history of the city, founded by Capuchin missionaries in the 18th century .

For those who prefer nature destinations, the Serra da Valéria , 152 meters high, offers one of the most beautiful views in the region and a rich archaeological site.

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