Cavalhada of Brumal and Festa de Santo Amaro 2019 in Santa Bárbara, MG
82nd Cavalhada of Brumal and Festa de Santo Amaro
From June 28 to July 7, 2019, the district of Brumal, in Santa Bárbara – MG, enjoyed a historic edition of the Cavalhada and Festa de Santo Amaro (an equestrian pageant reenacting the battle between Moors and Christians, held during the Feast of Saint Maurus). The 82nd celebration, which combines religion, culture and folk tradition, also marked 10 years since the Cavalhada of Brumal was registered as the town's intangible heritage, establishing itself as one of the greatest cultural symbols of the Serra do Caraça.
The festival was organized by the Santa Bárbara City Hall, in partnership with the Brumal Community Association and the Nossa Senhora das Graças Curacy, bringing together believers, horsemen and visitors from many towns. For more than a week, the district became a meeting point for faith, art and music, reaffirming Brumal's role as the guardian of one of the oldest traditions in Minas Gerais.
Faith, Devotion and Tradition
The religious program of the 82nd edition began on June 28 at 7 p.m. with a novena and Mass, bringing together the communities of the Curacy and neighboring localities. Over the following days, the celebrations continued with moments of prayer, blessings and fellowship at the traditional food stalls.
On Saturday (29th), the faithful took part in the Santo Amaro motorcade, which went through Brumal, Sumidouro and Barra Feliz and ended with a blessing of drivers and vehicles. On Sunday (July 7), the solemn Mass concelebrated by the priests of the Curacy and the procession with the image of Santo Amaro through the district's streets crowned the close of the program, reinforcing the sense of devotion and belonging that spans generations.
These religious rites, preserved since the Cavalhada was founded, express the faith of the people of Santa Bárbara and their gratitude to Santo Amaro, Brumal's patron saint.
Culture and Music in the Serra do Caraça
The cultural side of the festival was equally memorable. The event featured country parties by the Cecília Álvares Duarte and Professora Nhanita schools, performances by local talent and shows that livened up the district's nights.
On Friday (5th), the stage welcomed Washington & Waldomiro and Henrique Morais, who entertained the audience with sertanejo repertoires and plenty of fun. On Saturday (6th), national star Zé Felipe, straight from Goiânia, warmed up the cold Brumal night with hits such as My Baby, Saudade de Você and Não Me Toca.
The closing, on Sunday (7th), featured the traditional Cavalhada of Brumal, followed by a beautiful fireworks display and a musical show by Cláudio Araújo & Dimas, who ended the edition with joy and emotion.
Cultural Heritage: 10 Years of Registration
2019 was even more symbolic because it marked 10 years since the Cavalhada of Brumal was registered as intangible heritage of Santa Bárbara. Officially registered by Decree No. 1,846/2009 and entered in the Book of Celebrations (entry No. 1, on November 24, 2009), the tradition is recognized as a cultural asset of great historic and symbolic value.
The title was revalidated in 2019, with the approval of the Municipal Cultural Heritage Council, after a technical and ethnographic review, in line with the guidelines of the Minas Gerais State Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage (Iepha-MG).
This revalidation, required every ten years, reaffirms Brumal's commitment to preserving its cultural heritage and maintaining one of the most authentic traditions of the Serra do Caraça.
The Cavalhada: History, Leadership and Continuity
The Cavalhada of Brumal is inspired by the old medieval representations of the battles between Moors and Christians during the Crusades. The performance was established in the district by Jorge Calunga and Amaro Luiz, muleteers who brought the tradition of the Cavalhada of Morro Vermelho, in Caeté, to fulfill a vow to Santo Amaro.
Since then, the celebration has been passed down from generation to generation. Today it is led with devotion and respect by Mr. Divino Lúcio Luiz, son of Amaro Antônio Luiz, one of the direct heirs of this tradition. Under his leadership, the Cavalhada keeps its original ritual structure, preserving the same gestures, costumes and symbolism that mark the battle between the Christian and Moorish armies.
Family continuity is one of the most moving features of the event: three of Divino Luiz's sons now take part in the performance, ensuring the transmission of the knowledge and faith that have sustained the festival for more than eight decades.
A Symbol of the Serra do Caraça
The Cavalhada of Brumal and Festa de Santo Amaro is more than a religious event — it is a living portrait of the identity and cultural strength of the people of Santa Bárbara and the whole Serra do Caraça.
In 2019, completing 82 years and 10 years of official recognition as intangible heritage, the Cavalhada reaffirmed its role as a symbol of resilience, faith and collective memory. To the sound of drums, the shine of the horses and the emotion of the faithful, Brumal relived its history once again, establishing itself as one of the most vibrant cultural cradles of Minas Gerais.
