Donkey racing with children attracts tourists in Pernambuco – 06/13/2023 – Brazil

The community of Capim, in the rural area of ​​Petrolina (713 km from Recife), sees its population of just over 2,000 inhabitants multiply during the June festivities. In the town of Pernambuco’s hinterland, the jecana is held, a donkey race that receives around 10,000 people in the three days of the event, according to city hall estimates.

The party around one of the animal symbols of the Northeast is considered, by law, cultural heritage of Pernambuco. In the 50th edition, last weekend, more than 33 donkeys from different states in the region participated in the races.

Mounted on donkey Amin, Jonathas da Silva Ribeiro, 8, follows the tradition that is a family heirloom. The boy trains twice a week with his father and left Jataúba, a city in Pernambuco eight hours away, to participate in the races.

“I already offered him everything to let me sell this donkey, video game and bicycle, but there’s no way. It’s a love he has for this animal”, says his father Bruno Ribeiro de Oliveira, 29, a farmer.

The competition regulation provides rules to ensure the care of the animals. Harness, saddle, stirrups, shock, yoke, whip, piercing material or any other material that hurts the donkey are not accepted.

In a statement, the Department of Economic Development and Tourism of Petrolina, which organizes the event with the Association of Residents of Capim, informed the Sheet that there is a team of eight people in the inspection, which is accompanied by a veterinarian to avoid any kind of mistreatment.

The jecana emerged when a radio host in the city, in the late 1960s, publicized a turtle race in the Amazon. A friend commented: “All that remains is to announce a donkey race”.

Carlos Augusto Amariz decided to invest in the idea and created the “donkey gymkhana” in 1972, originating the new genuinely Northeastern sport, says his daughter Maíura Amariz, 47.

“His whole life he fought for the preservation of this animal”, he says. “Jecana is my older sister. When I was born, she was already my father’s baby”.

Disputes for prizes, which add up to R$ 30,000, are held on a 250-meter track, improvised on the main street of the community.

Six stalls similar to those of the famous horse races, from which some basic rules are also copied, are set up at the start.

All jegueiros, as the riders are called, are children. They are usually between eight and ten years old. A small bottle of bean grains, like a rattle, replaces the whips, using the noise to encourage the animal to run.

When the siren sounds, the narrator shouts: “Here comes the donkey!”. It’s seconds before the finish line is crossed.

Among the main competitors of 2023, names like Raio das Filipinos, Balinha and Pinga Fogo, in addition to Madonna and Joelma.

The competition is fierce. As the batteries pass by, tempers flare. There are organized fans for famous donkeys on the circuit, distressed bettors and stressed coaches who argue with the right to ask for VAR – since the technical commission uses cell phones to film details of the race, and even who crosses the finish line first

The great champion of Sunday night was Equipe FM. It is the second year that they take the first and second place on the podium to Zabelê (PB).

Jegueiro Enzo Gabriel da Silva, 11, was consecrated two consecutive champions with his Tira-Teima. “I’m very happy. Now, it’s time to take care of him and let him run more”, he celebrates.

Sister Ellys Fernanda Bezerra Batista, 18, explains that competing donkeys receive special treatment. “They are the best rations and vitamins they have. Stalls with new sand, fans and good water”.

After the races, the track turns into a catwalk for “Jegue Fashion”, where animals parade dressed in June themes or current affairs. This year there were five contestants, such as “Carolina Piriguete” and “Miss Severina”.

The great champion in the beauty contest was “Suzana”, a donkey who wore an LGBTQIA+ flag and carried the event’s birthday cake.

The assembly was carried out by a group of four teachers who, after 15 years of participation, lifted the main trophy for the first time.

“It’s 50 years of donkeys on the avenue, forró and also diversity, because we also celebrate diversity in our space”, explains Carmélia Guedes, 42, about the creation.

Hairdresser Maycon Wendes Ferreira, 38, who has been participating for six years, took home the second place trophy. His donkey Belarmino was dressed as an African king, with the right to a carriage. “I decided to bring him in by renewing the story, bringing the roots of my religion of African origin”, he explains.

After the parade, shows by regional bands begin, in the so-called “Forró do Poeirão”. The event drives the local economy with the setting up of bars, restaurants and about 60 street vendors.

Tourismologist Geane Nascimento, 60, lives in Teresina and every year travels to the party in Capim. To celebrate half a century of tradition, she invited friends from Piauí and São Paulo. “We have to value what is from the sertanejo. It is a very beautiful event, which attracts people from different places”.