Boi Bumbá – The beat of the Amazon

By Paul Sullivan On July 13, 2009 · 22 Comments

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Carnival may be the highlight of the Brazilian festival season, but the Amazonian Boi Bumbá deserves just as much attention — if not more. Paul Sullivan shows us why.

Landing in Parintins

1. The small Amazonian town of Parintins is reached from Manaus via a 20-30 hour boat trip...or a one hour plane ride.

View of Parintins

2. The population of Parintins is 100,000. During the 3-day Boi Bumbá festival the population doubles as visitors arrive from all over Brazil, creating a colourful mix of local culture and burgeoning tourism.

About The Author

Paul Sullivan

Paul Sullivan has been a freelance writer and photographer since 2000. Operating primarily in the realm of music, travel, lifestyle, and culture, his work has taken him around the world. His work has appeared in/on the BBC, Dazed and Confused, DrownedInSound, Electronic Beats, The Face, The Guardian, DJ, Intelligent Life, iDJ, fRoots, The Independent, Observer Music Monthly, National Geographic Music, Time Out, Wax Poetics, The Wire, and others. He currently lives in Berlin.

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view all → Paul Sullivan

http://www.asianramblings.com Steve

Wow!

Stunning photo essay. I feel like I was there.

I look forward to seeing some more of your images.
http://matadorabroad.com Tim Patterson

Gorgeous photos.
Nik

Nice one dude.
http://matadortrips.com/ Hal Amen

I can’t get the giant green man’s face out of my head…should I be worried?
Frank

Nice photos, they really capture a lot of details.
Amr

really liking these especially 7 and the stadium shots!
Adam

Have you ever read a travel article that makes you go “I am totally going there at the soonest opportunity available”? This was that kind of article for me. I’m totally going. Two thumbs up, Paul.
http://www.paul-sullivan.com Paul Sullivan

Thanks for comments y’all.

Hal, don’t be worried. He goes away again after a few weeks

Amr, 7 is my fave also. One of those rare / fortuitous moments where several elements worked well together: colourful dancers, interesting building, slick, wet street – and luckily i had my flash gun with me…
Sandra

For some moments I still in Parintins dancing all night with Caprichoso and Garantido. Amazing Amazónia and the best crew ever… and you always shoting. I’m a big fan of your work! Um beijo de Portugal
http://musictravelwrite.wordpress.com Michelle

I love Brazil…

These are really beautiful. But who won???

http://www.airprojects.travel Thiago

Hey Michelle;
Garantido won. It was amazing festival in Parintins. I`m a travel agent and I was with the group.

http://matadortravel.com/travel-community/vagabonderz Carlo Alcos

This is so cool, added to the list of destinations!
http://matadortravel.com/travel-community/eahutton Erin

Great photos! The colors are so vivid… I especially like photo 11.
Remo M. Filho

Garantido!

Amazing job, man.

Boy, I’ll miss that night. I’m glad I can get here and see your photos.

Cheers,
Remo

(Btw, the green man is a Curupira. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curupira)
http://www.mikesryukyugallery.com Ryukyu Mike

Awesome photography and well presented !
http://www.paul-sullivan.com Paul Sullivan

Once again, thanks all for your comments.

Michelle – the red team (Garantido) won this year.

Remo – thanks for the wiki link and explanation of the Curupira.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gekko82 Gekko82

Wow, what a colourful event and photo essay!
Rita Weatherbee

Amazing costumes – rich and colorful – sounds like a wild time. Photography was outstanding.
http://www.shutterspeed9.blogspot.com/ Calvin Kwok

Excellent images.. it’s so vibrant and full of life!

Keep it up!!
yan moria

mto boas suas fotos
parabens, sou daqui achei otimas
parabns
jdemais

i went about 6 years ago. garantido won. it was the best time i’ve ever had in my life (and i’ve been to all of brazil’s biggest festivals). the energy inside the stadium is electric and it goes on for 6 hours each night. everyone dances to the rhythms and choreographies. and the float, costumes, and people (dancers) are absolutely beautiful.
Eduardo Ramos

Sou brasileiro e procurei na internet sobre a lata de coca-cola azul e achei seu site.
Muito interessante a cobertura do Festival Parintins que você realizou. Parabéns!

I’m brazilian. I was searching in the web about the “blue coke” and found your site.
Really interesting your report of Parintins. The pics are great! Congrats!

Boi Bumbá – The beat of the Amazon

Landing in Parintins

View of Parintins

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