Festa do Peão de Barretos 2011

Brazil is a place full of imported traditions. Europeans, Africans and Asians reached the Brazilian coast by waves from the sixteenth century. Some came as slaves and others seeking new opportunities, but all of them came with a cultural baggage that transformed and adapted, created the huge richness of Brazilian culture.

A member of Sao Paulo's team rides a small bull. The bulls used for the rodeo weigh from 600 to more than 1000 kilograms. The most important characteristics of the bull are agility, jumping power and speed of movements.

Part of this Brazilian unknown richness is the Festas do Peão, rodeos in true Brazilian style. In the early twentieth century, American culture of rodeos arrives to Brazil and merges with caipira or sertaneja culture from the interior of São Paulo’s state, giving rise to a strong cultural movement that now spans almost all rural areas of Brazil.

An example of this Brazilian style merger is the Peão, Peão is the Brazilian word for cowboy, but Peão does not have the romantic allure of the American cowboy as well is the term used for rural workers, peon, worker of a cattle ranch … Usually with humble origin, Peões travel much of Brazil to participate in the Brazilian Rodeo Season that extends from Pará to Rio Grande Do Sul.

Among these rodeos, Barretos has something special. Barretos was the first rodeo competition held in Brazil in 1956 and currently the most prestigious of the Brazilian rodeos.

Since the first edition made under the big top of a circus until nowdays the event has grown to become one of the biggest music and rodeo festivals in the world. Besides being the global benchmark of sertanejo culture.

With 200 hectares, Parque do Peão, designed by Oscar Niemeyer, hosts every August for 11 days a party that generates an economic movement in the region of about 120 million dollars and with a number of visitors close to a million people.

Despite these numbers the essence of rodeo is the same in Barretos than any other rodeo. The struggle between man and beast for 8 seconds, where the Peão can emerge victorious or beaten by an animal that can weigh 1100 kilograms.

The full set of 76 images: Red Arena – Festa do Peão.

Available in: 4see Photographers

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Julio Cesar, one of the cowboys, observes the rodeo from the locker room. During the "Festa do Peão" are held three rodeos: national, interstate and international. In total around 85 cowboys take part in the bulls rides in all competitions.

A cowboy lasts on the bull during the international competition. The bulls used for the rodeo weigh from 600 to more than 1000 kilograms. The most important characteristics of the bull are agility, jumping power and speed of movements. (Julio Aracil)

A cowboy prays prior to their participation on the final of the national competition. Religion is an important part of the world of Brazilian cowboys, mostly Catholics, although as in the rest of the country the number of evangelicals is increased.

The locker room is shared by the participants in the different competitions. A participant in saddle bronc riding is prepared for ride. During the 11-days of rodeo there are 8 competitions: cutiano, saddle bronc, bareback, barrel racing, steer werstling, peanning team, working penning, and the most popular bull riding.

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