Finally, June 24th arrives, Saint John's Day (1). The long-awaited moment. The moment of explosion, of joy. The moment of the Ox's baptism!

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The Ox has been in the corral for almost a year (2). Since the last party, a lot of new embroidery has been done to make it even more beautiful.

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After the baptism, the Boi is finally allowed to go out, taking all his joy, honoring the saint and entertaining the people until the end of the month.

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The beat of the pandericos and zabumbas imitates the beating of the Ox's heart. And for the Ox to stay alive, its heart can't stop beating, the drums can't stop beating. During the festival, rhythmic percussion is permanently heard. People permanently feel the vibration of their heart.

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Heat. agitation. These are days of music, dance, celebration and thanksgiving.

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On the 29th of June (Saint Peter's Day) or the 30th (Saint Marçal's Day) the percussion ceases, the Ox's heart stops beating and he goes back to the corral, where he will stay until the next year, when he will be "resurrected", baptized again in the name of São João and allowed to go out again to play.

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(1) Many oxen are raised in exchange for some grace obtained, after a promise made to St. John. In these cases, it is even more important that the baptism take place on June 24th.

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(2) What is the name of the headquarters of the Bois groups in Maranhão.