Meanwhile in sophisticated,sunny Brazil......
 

One of the most savage rituals of cruelty toward animals is Brazil’s Farra do Boi. Farra do boi, loosely translated as “ Festival of the Oxen” or “Ox Fun Days”, involves the torture- killing of several hundred oxen each year in more than thirty communities throughout the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina. In other states of Brazil, the spectacle is denounced and has stirred violent protests.

Until recently, Farra do Boi occurred primarily during Easter week and on New Year’s Day in remote coastal villages.Today some communities hold weekly Farras to “celebrate” weddings, birthdays, soccer games and other special occasions. Prominent businessmen, citizens, cattle breeders, restaurateurs, and politicians often donate the oxen.

Before the event, the ox is confined and starved for several days. To increase the ox frenzy, food and water are placed within sight, but out of reach.The Farra begins when the ox is driven from its pen and chased through the streets by crowds of villagers with sticks, knives, whips, stones, bamboo lances, and ropes.The attackers – men, women, and children – pursue the ox as it attempts to flee, even into the ocean.

After Days of Torture, the Relief of Death
WSPA sources in Brazil have seen cattle tormented in every conceivable way. The helpless animals are doused with gasoline and set on fire. Pepper is thrown into their eyes, which are often then gouged out. Participants break the animal’s horns and legs and cut off their tales. Oxen may be stabbed or hit as many times as possible as long as the blows are not fatal, for the cattle must survive until the end. This torture may continue for THREE DAYS OR LONGER. Finally the animal is killed and the meat is divided among the participants to eat.

Some say the ritual is a symbolic re-ennanctment of the Passion of Jesus, with the ox representing Judas. Other believe the animal represents Satan, and torturing the Devil washes away their sins. But nowadays the festival hasn't religious conotation. For the people from the little coastal villages, Farra do Boi became just an opportunity to party and for some, a source of extra money by selling drinks and food for the participants.

Sick.

If you’re going to be the forum news editor and chief - how about more entertaining stories? Like the parrot one.

Who wants to start the day reading this kind of sad/sick stuff ?
(well - besides Aklim perhaps:rolleyes:)

Here’s a story for you to investigate, Scoop:
Seems the “5.0 winter beater” thread is gone !!:eek:
Gee - was it something I said ??? :D

Lets see who can we get to play Jesus... I know how about the ox!


My uncle served some time in the peace corps in Tibet... aprox. early 70's... he claimed to have a lost 8mm film of the removal of the ox's head with a less than sharp enough tool... or maybe he just diddn't have a projector... never got to view it.

Nice culture they got going down there.

I dunno where Carlie got the idea from, that Brazil was'sophisticated'...?
Mostly Jungle, followed by a staggering number of slums and shanty towns...

"HA! Not so much fun like 'Throw the Jew down the well'!"
--[/BORAT]

Beautiful picture.

Tom W

Guido:

I think Carleton was being a bit sarcastic...

JMOT...

So my country can be free!

Finalmente! somebody gets the picture...