Dia do Saci – Brazilian alternative to Halloween

Halloween is a festival popular in the whole world but there are no countries that celebrate it as loudly as the United States, Canada, or Great Britain. Some countries celebrate in an alternative way that is based on their own folklore. A great example is Dia do Saci - a Brazilian festival. Who is Saci and how do Brazilians celebrate?

Saci – who is a figure from Brazilian folklore?

Saci is a character from Brazilian folklore and for the first time, he has probably been mentioned in the mythology of Tupi-Guarani people. Saci is usually presented as a black or mulatto one-legged man, who lost his right leg during Capoeira fight. He smokes a pipe and wears a red hat that lets him disappear and reappear in a proper place whenever he wants to. He is claimed to be rather malignant and a bit dangerous. Saci is to viciously hide some objects, tease animals, and make a mess. It is also said that he will grant the wishes of the person who is able to get him or steal his magical hat. People say that this hat is the source of a bad smell, which, after you steal it, is impossible to wash off. Saci is believed to use his invisibility most of the time. Many Brazilians believe that he can be spotted in the form of dust devils and even be caught and closed in a bottle.

Saci Day – Brazilian Halloween

A few years ago Halloween was not so popular in Brazil and it was celebrated mainly in some language schools that were teaching people about American and British culture. When Halloween became more popular, a non-governmental organization called Amigos do Saci created Saci Day as an alternative to Halloween. Their idea was to focus on Brazilian folklore instead of replacing it with American or British influence. This tradition was popularized mainly in the state of São Paulo. One of the characteristic features of Dia do Saci is an aesthetics similar to Halloween - colors, symbols such as pumpkins and spiders. Saci is presented with a pumpkin or a candy bucket.