Cavalhada of Brumal and Festa de Santo Amaro 2013 in Santa Bárbara, MG
76th Cavalhada of Brumal and Festa de Santo Amaro
From June 28 to July 7, 2013, the district of Brumal, in Santa Bárbara – MG, enjoyed intense days of faith, culture and celebration during the 76th Cavalhada of Brumal and Festa de Santo Amaro (an equestrian pageant reenacting the battle between Moors and Christians, held during the Feast of Saint Maurus). The event, one of the most traditional in the Serra do Caraça, brought together horsemen, devotees, residents and visitors in a great spectacle of religion and cultural identity.
Promoted by the Brumal Community Association and the Nossa Senhora das Graças Curacy, with the support of the Santa Bárbara City Hall, AngloGold Ashanti, Jaguar Mining and Samarco Mineração, the festival reaffirmed its role as one of the greatest symbols of Santa Bárbara's intangible heritage, keeping alive the legacy of the old muleteers.
Faith and History Among the Mountains of the Serra do Caraça
The Cavalhada of Brumal dates back to 1937, when the muleteer Jorge da Silva Calunga received a grace from Santo Amaro and, in thanks, organized the first celebration. Since then, the event has marked Santa Bárbara's religious calendar every year as a moment of deep faith and devotion.
The 2013 edition kept the tradition that has moved audiences for decades. For more than a week, the district hosted Masses, novenas, processions and cultural performances, always with the involvement of neighboring communities and the support of local schools, such as the Nhanita State School and the Cecília Álvares Duarte Municipal School.
The Cavalhada, held on July 7, was the high point of the program, reenacting the traditional battle between Moors and Christians, a symbolic representation of the medieval Crusades. The spectacle brought together horsemen in colorful costumes on decorated horses, moving the audience as it recalled the victory of faith and fraternity.
Culture and Tradition That Unite Generations
Besides the religious celebrations, the program included musical performances, traditional food stalls and community gatherings that reinforced the welcoming, festive character of the people of Brumal. The event was a true reunion of generations — longtime residents, traditional families and visitors gathered around devotion to Santo Amaro to celebrate the cultural heritage that has given the region its identity for decades.
The edition's special thanks went to the horsemen of Santo Amaro, the sponsors and the support teams, essential to holding the event and preserving a tradition that has stood the test of time.
The Cavalhada: Symbol of Santa Bárbara Culture
Recognized as Intangible Heritage of Santa Bárbara by Municipal Law No. 1,518/2009, of July 23, 2009, the Cavalhada is much more than a religious event — it is a living expression of the town's collective memory. Inspired by the Cavalhada of Morro Vermelho, in Caeté, the tradition has been adapted and transformed over the years while keeping its symbolic essence and cultural strength intact.
In Brumal, the Cavalhada is the link between past and present. Under the leadership and dedication of the local organizers, the 2013 festival reinforced the community's sense of belonging, honoring the legacy of its founders and reaffirming the faith that moves generations.
A Spectacle of Devotion in the Serra do Caraça
The 76th Cavalhada of Brumal and Festa de Santo Amaro was further proof that Minas Gerais folk culture is a living heritage. With horsemen, choirs, bands and believers from many places, the event reaffirmed Santa Bárbara's pride in preserving one of the most authentic celebrations in Minas Gerais.
With each edition, the district of Brumal shows that tradition and faith continue to ride side by side, keeping alive the flame of devotion to Santo Amaro and love for the Serra do Caraça, the natural setting that gives this unique celebration its soul and strength.
