Cavalhada of Brumal and Festa de Santo Amaro 2022 in Santa Bárbara, MG

83rd Cavalhada of Brumal and Festa de Santo Amaro

From June 24 to July 3, 2022, the district of Brumal, in Santa Bárbara – MG, once again brought together faith, culture and tradition with the 83rd 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 celebration, considered one of the largest cultural events of the Serra do Caraça, brought together residents, visitors and devotees for days of intense devotion and fellowship.

With a program full of religious and cultural moments, the festival reaffirmed the pride and sense of belonging of the people of Santa Bárbara, who have preserved for decades the memory and rituals honoring Santo Amaro. Organized by the Santa Bárbara City Hall, in partnership with the Brumal Community Association and the Nossa Senhora das Graças Curacy, the 2022 edition stood out for strong public participation and the emotion present in every detail.

Faith and Devotion: A Legacy That Renews Itself

The religious part of the festival began on June 24, with the rosary and the novena of Santo Amaro, followed by the opening Mass. The next day, June 25, the traditional Santo Amaro motorcade went through the communities of Brumal, Sumidouro and Barra Feliz, blessing vehicles and bringing faith to the surrounding families. After the route, the faithful gathered for the rosary, novena and Eucharist.

During the week, prayers and Masses continued until July 2, with moments dedicated to the horsemen and the families who help organize the event. The celebrations were conducted with devotion, strengthening the spiritual and community bonds that have characterized the festival for more than eight decades.

On Sunday, July 3, the day of the great celebration, the bells rang at dawn, marking the start of another historic day in Brumal. At 9 a.m., young people led a special Mass, showing the involvement of new generations in the local religious tradition.

Cultural Program: Music and Joy in the Serra do Caraça

The cultural program of the 83rd Cavalhada of Brumal brought lively nights and musical encounters. On June 30, the June Festival of the Professora Nhanita State School opened the popular festivities with traditional food and regional performances.

On Friday (July 1), the public enjoyed the Show with local artists, a space dedicated to local talent and to valuing musicians from Santa Bárbara and the region. The high point, however, came on Saturday (2nd), with the eagerly awaited show by singer Lauana Prado, who delighted the audience with her charisma and big hits.

On Sunday (3rd), after the Cavalhada, the night ended in a festive mood with a show by Sérgio & Delson, a duo who brought energy and joy to the crowd that packed the Largo de Brumal. The presence of visitors from all over the Serra do Caraça reinforced the prestige of the event, which has become one of the most important in Minas Gerais culture.

The Cavalhada: Living Heritage of Folk Culture

The high point of the festival came on July 3, at 5 p.m., with the moving performance of the 83rd Cavalhada of Brumal. The spectacle, which symbolically represents the battles between Moors and Christians, delighted those present with the beauty of the colorful costumes, the horsemen's synchronization and the fireworks display that lit up the district's sky.

The Cavalhada is one of the strongest symbols of the Serra do Caraça, and its continuity depends on the love and dedication of those who, year after year, keep this decades-old tradition alive. In 2022, the event reaffirmed its importance as intangible heritage, bringing together faith, history and folk culture in a single celebration.

The grandeur of the Cavalhada reflects the community's involvement and the collective work that turns Brumal into a true stage of devotion and art.

A Tradition That Inspires and Strengthens Local Identity

More than a religious event, the Cavalhada of Brumal and Festa de Santo Amaro is a celebration that unites generations and strengthens the bonds among the residents of the Serra do Caraça. It keeps alive the memory of a people who, despite the changes of time, proudly preserve their cultural and spiritual roots.

In 2022, the 83rd edition showed that the spirit of Santo Amaro is present in every gesture, ride and prayer. Brumal remains the guardian of one of the most beautiful Minas Gerais traditions, which moves, inspires and carries on the sense of faith and belonging in Santa Bárbara and the whole Serra do Caraça.