A identidade visual do Bumba Meu Boi

Abstract

This article analyzes clothing as a form of cultural expression within the Bumba Meu Boi tradition, focusing on the Riso da Mocidade group based in Timon, Maranhão. The research highlights the influence of matriarch Maria Luiza in the creation and evolution of the group’s costumes, emphasizing how these garments reflect the group’s cultural identity and historical journey. It shows that costume is a fundamental element in the cultural expression of Bumba Meu Boi, conveying values, symbols, and group identity. The “índias,” female characters in the group, play a central role in the dance and cultural representation. The history of Bumba Meu Boi is marked by a mix of African, Indigenous, and European influences. Despite periods of repression and prohibition, the tradition survived and became an important cultural expression in Maranhão. The female presence is highlighted as essential, with the índias playing a key role in shaping and preserving the group’s identity. The study examines the costume transformations from 2014 to 2024, identifying the reasons and cultural implications behind them. A qualitative approach was adopted, based on document analysis, interviews, and field observation. The 2019 costume, inspired by Maranhão’s reggae, stands out as a milestone in the group’s current visual identity.