Catira
The Catira is part of the Rodeo´s folklore. The first time this dance was presented was during the 50´s in the Francisco Barreto Town Square. Groups from the towns of Uberaba, Frutal, Iturama and Tanabi charmed the population with their dance, a typically Brazilian dance with its roots coming from the State of Goiás, north of the state of Minas Gerais and the interior of São Paulo. The choreography is done mostly by men – sugar cane harvesters, cowboys and merchants. The group is formed by 6 to 8 men and a 10 string guitar duo who plays and sings as the group dances to their music.
During the dance, the guitar players stand facing each other. The dancers execute the choreography stomping their feet and clapping.
The “Meia Lua” or Half Moon is one of the most common steps where the dancers stand in a straight line and dance until they form a half circle. When in this position the dancers perform a series of steps like the bandana jump, where the dancers use their own bandanas and hold the opposite ends jumping over it as if they were jumping over a rope. The next step is the “recorte”, where at every verse of the song the pairs change positions lengthways. The dancers dress up like cowboys wearing checkered shirts, boots, cowboy hats, bandanas and a belt and buckle. Although there is a similarity with the way American cowboys dress the Catira is not influenced by American Country dancing.