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farradoboi.org
One of the most savage rituals of cruelty toward animals is Brazil’s Farra do Boi. Farra do boi, loosely translated as “ Festival of the Oxen” or “Ox Fun Days”, involves the torture- killing of several hundred oxen each year in more than thirty communities throughout the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina. In other states of Brazil, the spectacle is denounced and has stirred violent protests.
Until recently, Farra do Boi occurred primarily during Easter week and on New Year’s Day in remote coastal villages.Today some communities hold weekly Farras to “celebrate” weddings, birthdays, soccer games and other special occasions. Prominent businessmen, citizens, cattle breeders, restaurateurs, and politicians often donate the oxen.
Before the event, the ox is confined and starved for several days. To increase the ox frenzy, food and water are placed within sight, but out of reach.The Farra begins when the ox is driven from its pen and chased through the streets by crowds of villagers with sticks, knives, whips, stones, bamboo lances, and ropes.The attackers – men, women, and children – pursue the ox as it attempts to flee, even into the ocean.
After Days of Torture, the Relief of Death
WSPA sources in Brazil have seen cattle tormented in every conceivable way. The helpless animals are doused with gasoline and set on fire. Pepper is thrown into their eyes, which are often then gouged out. Participants break the animal’s horns and legs and cut off their tales. Oxen may be stabbed or hit as many times as possible as long as the blows are not fatal, for the cattle must survive until the end. This torture may continue for THREE DAYS OR LONGER. Finally the animal is killed and the meat is divided among the participants to eat.
Some say the ritual is a symbolic re-ennanctment of the Passion of Jesus, with the ox representing Judas. Other believe the animal represents Satan, and torturing the Devil washes away their sins. But nowadays the festival hasn't religious conotation. For the people from the little coastal villages, Farra do Boi became just an opportunity to party and for some, a source of extra money by selling drinks and food for the participants.
In 1997, after much debate and pressure from animal protection organizations, the Farra do Boi was outlawed by the Supreme Court of Brazil. It was followed up with a campaign by WSPA, ACAPRA ( Catarinense Association for Protection of Animals) and APA (Animal Protection Association) in Florianopolis, the capital of Santa Catarina, which involved television interviews, government meetings, and theatrical performances to drive home the message that animal cruelty no longer held a place in Holy Week or at any other time of the year.
The local media were very supportive, filming events to prove cruelty. It was made very clear that the majority of Santa Catarina's population were embarrassed by the occurrence of the Farra in their state.
In 1998, a gradual decrease in the number of events was seen, signifying the beginning of the end for Farra do Boi. WSPA's representative in Brazil, Elizabeth Mac Gregor, stated, "Brazil is a country where traditions change very slowly, and laws are not complied with as expected. Bearing this in mind, we have to keep pressing the State to enforce the law, and promoting educational programs."
Not surprisingly, the participants of Farra do Boi have organized in order to ignore the law claiming that Farra do Boi is not cruel, that the animals are not tortured and it is part of their tradition. The Governor of the state of Santa Catarina refuses to repress the Festival. The police do not arrest anyone and the Farra do Boi, continues despite the ban.
A HERITAGE OF HORROR AND CRUELTY TO ANIMALS
Farra do Boi has been practiced in Santa Catarina as long as anyone remembers. Some say 200 years.While it is said to have originated in the Portuguese Azores and been transplanted to Brazil by the original settlers, WSPA's research has not revealed any such “tradition”. |
