Dancing dressed as an ox at the Bumba-meu-boi festival in Brazil

Americas Now

Everyone has heard of the Brazilian Carnival. But how many know about a version in the northeast part of the country called Bumba-meu-boi?

It’s a surreal, theatrical performance of a story that originated in the 18th century and features both human and mythological characters – and an ox.

Our Urban Voice is the tale of Sao Luis.

The ox festival can be seen all over Northern Brazil in June. But some performances are also presented during December in the larger Brazilian cities of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.