Cowboys of culture - Os Independentes | Barretos/SP :: 17 3321-0000

AGECIP - Association for the Management of Culture in the Interior of the State of São Paulo

A partnership between Os Independentes and AGCIP has made possible the creation of a series of actions to promote and preserve Brazilian country culture. Amongst these actions is the Barretos Rodeo Culture Stage, a space totally dedicated to cultural manifestations.

Over 2.000 performing artists took to the stage during the 11 days of the Rodeo with exhibitions and musical and dance performances.

Brazilian Country Culture Guardians

Os Independentes

The Legislative Assembly of São Paulo has recognized the Os Independentes Association as the “Guardians of Important Cultural Manifestations which keep alive the History of the Peão (Brazilian Cowboy) - the Anonymous Hero of the Brazilian Countryside”. Therefore, Os Independentes holds the State title as the preserving entity of Brazilian country culture for the State of São Paulo.

Cultural Diversity Meeting

The São Paulo State country culture was present at the Cultural Diversity Meeting held by the Ministry of Culture in Rio de Janeiro in September 2010. The “Queima do Alho” – a typical regional food cooking contest - and typical roots music were part of the event that gathered over 1500 people. This event was created for people to exchange experiences and to reflect upon living with differences, respect to human rights and to exercise cultural citizenship.

Together with the Queima do Alho, which was performed by a group of cooks from Os Independentes and other groups that take part in the contest which is held during the Barretos Rodeo, the country duo Salles & Guilherme, winners of the 27th edition of the “Violeira Rose Abrão” and 10 string guitar player Guilherme Tenório presented the typical Brazilian roots music.

The AGCIP took the 12th Edition of its “Culturando” Magazine with the Queima do Alho as its theme and also the book: “Queima do Alho: alimento do corpo e da alma do peão de boiadeiro” or Queima do Alho: Food of the heart and soul of the Brazilian Cowboy.

Pau do Fuxico

OThe “Pau do Fuxico” is one of the spaces which is totally dedicated to the preservation of root culture during the Barretos Rodeo. Performing duos, amateur and professional singers and performing artists present themselves on this stage which is built in a style that reflects the gatherings of cowboys from the past.

There are root music and “catira” (a typical dance) performances, verse recitals and berrante (cattle calling horn) players. A true celebration of culture.

Matão Flower Mat

Corpus Christi

The tradition of decorating town roads on Corpus Christi day has also joined the cultural exchange promoted by the Barretos Rodeo. The traditional Corpus Christi flower mat from the town of Matão was reproduced in the rodeo arena – 600 square metres of pure art.

600m² of Art and Faith

“ROSE ABRÃO” 10 String Guitar Contest

The Most Traditional In Brazil

In a search even more to preserve and spread the Brazilian country culture, Os Independentes promotes the Rose Abrão 10 String Guitar Contest. This Festival has completed 27 years and is the oldest contest of its kind in the country.

In this festival, duos, composers and singers of this typical musical style present their songs to the sound of the 10 string guitar. Although the theme is freestyle, in each edition of the contest the songs seek to maintain tradition, using the words and expressions of the people who live this true roots music. In 2010, the contest had four editions in the towns of Barretos, Monte Alto, Guaraci and Ibitinga. The Great Final took place in the Sobrado da Alegria, the house where Rose Abrão, who was an important encourager of country roots music, used to live.

Em 2010 a Violeira teve etapas em 4 cidades: Barretos, Monte Alto, Guaraci e Ibitinga. A grande final foi no Sobrado da Alegria, local onde residiu Rose Abrão, que dá o nome ao festival e que foi um importante fomentador da música sertaneja de raiz.

Queima do alho

Non-Material Cultural Patrimony

The AGCIP and Os Independentes fight for the recognition of the Queima do Alho, the typical food of the brazilian cowboys and cattle drovers who were responsible for the clearing of the country´s interior, as a Non-Material Cultural Patrimony.

The Barretos Rodeo Queima do Alho contest distinguishes itself for the preservation of this type of cooking, typical of the cowboys and cattle drovers who undertook long journeys through the interior of Brazil taking the herds of cattle to the abattoirs. In Barretos the food doesn´t only have to taste like it did in the past, but it also has to be prepared using the exact same pots and pans and gear, as well as the makeshift stove built on the ground.

Unidos Da Tijuca Samba School

Samba In The Rodeo

A cultural exchange took over the 2010 Barretos Rodeo. The winning Samba School of the 2010 Rio Carnival, Unidos da Tijuca, took Brazil´s most characteristic music to the rodeo arena. Four hundred performers made a special presentation. This cultural Exchange

participated in the presentation and rehearsed together with the Unidos da Tijuca Samba School.

Donation

After the performance Os Independentes donated 300 carnival costumes to the town´s Samba Schools, contributing to the development of the local carnival.

300 fantasias

Book Publication

Monuments And Works Of Art

The Parque do Peão has a collection of many works of art signed by some of the country´s great artists, always relating to rodeo culture and brazilian country roots. The following are ome of these monuments and works of art in the Parque do Peão:

Cowboy Tourism