The June Festivities in Brazil

Brazil is a mixed-race country and, precisely for this reason, its art and culture comes with
a collection of influences, whether indigenous, African or European.

Among the various cultural expressions that call my attention in the country, the one that
most attracts me and is part of my daily life are the June Festivities, very popular events in
the northeast region of Brazil:

June Festivities
Márcia Fernandes Márcia Fernandes
Teacher graduated in Literature

June Festivities are celebrations that take place in June in Brazil. Three popular saints are
commemorated there: Saint Anthony, Saint Peter and Saint John.

The origin of the June festival is pagan, that is, it is contrary to Christian doctrine, because
the festivals that gave rise to the June festivals honored the gods of nature and fertility and
asked for abundance in the crops, as it was at that time that the harvest period began. of
cereals.

But, as the church could not put an end to the popularity of this festival - which appeared
hundreds of years ago -, it ended up joining it and assigning it a religious character.

Traditionally, the June festivities begin on June 12th, the eve of Saint Anthony's Day, and
end on June 29th, Saint Peter's Day. On the 23rd and 24th, Saint John's Day is celebrated.

Origin of the June Festivities

The origin of the June Festivities is pagan and, therefore, did not have the religious character
that it assumed years later, and that continues until today.

Even before the Middle Ages, in the northern hemisphere, people celebrated the arrival of
summer - in the month of June - honoring the gods of nature and fertility, while asking for a
bountiful harvest.

This happened because it was the time to harvest cereals, such as corn - which today is the
most common ingredient in typical June feast foods.
Bonfires, a characteristic symbol of the June festivities today, also have their origins in the
pagan festival, because it was customary to make bonfires during celebrations.

As the church was unable to put an end to the popularity of this pagan festival, it ended up
joining the June festivities, attributing a religious character to them.

Who brought the June festival to Brazil were the Portuguese, in the colonial period. In
Portugal, the June Festivities was called Festa Joanina - possibly because it takes place in
June or perhaps because of Saint John, who is the main saint of the celebration - which is
why the June Festivities are also called Saint John's Festival.

The three Catholic saints - Saint Anthony, Saint Peter and Saint John - were chosen to be
celebrated in the June Festivities because they were the most popular saints in the month
of June.

Saint John would have been born on June 24th and is very popular among the Portuguese,
who had many kings with that name, who built chapels in honor of the saint.

Saint Peter, martyred on June 29, is considered the first Pope of the church. Saint Anthony,
in turn, who died on June 13, was born in Lisbon.

Since the June festivities were brought by the Portuguese, the celebration has been
influenced by African and indigenous cultures and, therefore, it has peculiar characteristics
in each part of Brazil.

Features of June Festivities

Many traditions that accompany this celebration represent the main symbols of the June
festivals, which include: food, typical dances, balloons, bonfires, games and clothes.

1. June Festivities’s Food

Corn is a very important food in these celebrations and, therefore, several typical foods of
the June festival take this ingredient.

The main typical dishes of the June festival are: popcorn, paçoca, pé de moleque, hominy,
hot dog, pamonha, curau, corn cake, rice pudding, pine nuts, couscous and tapioca.

The most traditional drinks are: mulled wine and warm wine.
Photo: Estudiofcx | Shutterstock

2. Typical dances of the June Festivities

In the June festivities, forró is heard and danced. The June Quadrilha dance is, however,
the typical dance of the party. It has its origins in ballroom dancing in France and consists
of couples dressed in typical country clothes.

Photo: Mateus Pereira

A choreography called the caipira wedding is performed in honor of Saint Anthony, the
matchmaker saint.
3. Balloons and bonfire at June Festivities

Balloons are traditional, although there are currently restrictions due to safety concerns.
Traditionally, the release of balloons signals the beginning of celebrations.

The bonfire is also part of the party scene. Of pagan origin, it symbolizes protection against
evil spirits.

Photo: reproduction/illustrative

The tradition was maintained by the Catholics, who dedicated a different form of bonfire to
each saint: the square is for Saint Anthony; the round of Saint John; and the triangular one
of San Peter.

4. June Festivities’s games

Games such as chain, tallow stick, fishing, elegant mail, jumping the bonfire, ring, among
others, cannot be missing. Sympathies are also included - which end up carrying a bit of a
fun tone.
Photo: Disclosure

On the 13th of June, the churches distribute the “bread of Saint Anthony”, which must be
eaten by women looking for a husband.

5. June Festivities’s clothes

The traditional clothes of the June Festivities are typically caipira, with very colorful clothes
with a checkered pattern.

Photo: LightField Studios | Shutterstock

Inserted in the context of the June festivities, the Feast of Saint John takes place on the
23rd and 24th of June, to celebrate the birth of this Popular Saint, known as the Festive
Saint.

Saint John was born on June 24th and was one of the closest saints to Jesus Christ,
participating in his baptism on the banks of the Jordan River. Therefore, Saint John's Day is
June 24th.

The main elements of the feast of Saint John

The festival festivities include typical dishes from the June festival, games and the traditional
dance of Saint John. However, it is worth remembering that this can change from region to
region.

In addition, other important elements of the feast are the maypole and the bonfire of Saint
John.

The Saint John pole includes the image of this popular saint, along with three more colored
flags or ribbons, representing the popular saints of the festival: Saint Antony, Saint Peter and
Saint John.

The Saint John bonfire, another very characteristic element of the festival, is lit on the night
of the 23rd. Among many sympathies associated with her, the one that stands out the most
is jumping over the embers of the bonfire on the 24th.

The feast of Saint John in the Northeast

In Brazil, the most famous night of Saint John takes place in the northeast region of the
country, in the city of Campina Grande, in the state of Paraíba. This is considered the
biggest São João festival in the world.

However, other northeastern cities stand out: Caruaru, in Pernambuco; São Luís, in
Maranhão; Mossoró, in Rio Grande do Norte; and Teresina, in Piauí.

Available in:https://www.todamateria.com.br/festas-juninas/