Itajuí Folia das Almas berra-boi

berra-boi

berra-boi (literally 'bellow-ox'): a Brazilian name for the bullroarer.

For more than forty years the Folia das Almas has walked Holy Week through the Vale da Gurita at Itajuí, near Delfinópolis, carrying prayers for the dead. Its berra-boi is a board tied to a cord, with a handle at the far end, spun until it roars like a violent gale — sounding alongside matracas, réu-réus and whistles.

Antigamente as pessoas se assustavam e as crianças choravam por causa dos instrumentos musicais. Ainda hoje, quando o ritual passa por uma casa que nunca recebeu a tradicional folia, muitos se assombram.

In the old days people took fright and the children cried at the musical instruments. Even today, when the ritual passes a house that has never received the traditional folia, many take fright.

Juliana Afonso, 'Preces para as almas,' Revista Sagarana 47 (2014)

Particulars

Object

A cord with a board at one end and a handle at the other.

Function

The Folia das Almas of Itajuí uses berra-bois with matracas, réu-réus and whistles in its Holy Week procession and prayers for the dead.