Held every June in Serrita, Pernambuco, the Missa do Vaqueiro honors the courage, faith, and cultural legacy of the Brazilian Northeastern cowboy. Recognized as a cultural heritage of the state, the event blends religion, music, tradition, and civic engagement. Drawing around 50,000 people annually, the celebration strengthens local identity and keeps alive the memory of Raimundo Jacó, a symbol of resilience in the harsh caatinga landscape.
Por Gustavo Penteado e Nathalia Teixeira | Translation: Amanda Peter
In honor of the Northeastern cowboy, every June in the city of Serrita, Pernambuco, located 554 km from Recife, the traditional “Missa do Vaqueiro” is held. Considered a cultural heritage of the state, the event has influenced both the local music scene, particularly sertanejo, and the regional economy.
Each year, the Mass attracts an audience of approximately 50,000 people, who take part in concerts, debates, lectures, arts and crafts, and moments of religious devotion.
Faith, Music, and Ancestral Rituals
The Mass is celebrated by a Catholic priest, while the music is performed by a popular Northeastern singer, highlighting the cowboy’s journey of faith and the hardships faced on the dry lands of the desert.
Cowboys attend the ceremony on horseback, wearing traditional clothing and sharing regional food, creating a unique blend of ritual, culture, and devotion. Alongside them, hundreds of tourists gather every year to experience this symbolic celebration.
Citizenship and Political Expression
Beyond its religious dimension, the Missa do Vaqueiro also carries a political and social meaning. The event serves as a space to exercise citizenship and collective identity.
“For local cowboys, the Mass is where they can interact with cowboys coming from different towns and have the chance to discuss their rights and morals, to be seen and respected, and to unite and ask the government to pay more attention to their needs (recognition of cowboy activity as a profession),”
explains event coordinator Thiago Câncio.
Life in the Caatinga: Resistance and Survival
The cowboys live and work in the caatinga, a biome found exclusively in the Northeast of Brazil. The region is marked by temporary rivers, a semi-arid climate, and irregular rainfall, resulting in extremely dry conditions throughout the year.
Although the soil is dry, it is also surprisingly fertile—a characteristic many attribute to the bravery and perseverance of the cowboy spirit.
The Origins of the Missa do Vaqueiro
One of Brazil’s most important expressions of faith and tradition, the Missa do Vaqueiro was first celebrated in 1970, in honor of Raimundo Jacó, a cowboy brutally murdered in 1954 in Serrita.
The crime remains unsolved due to lack of evidence, though legend suggests the perpetrator was one of his coworkers. Luiz Gonzaga, known as the King of Baião and Raimundo’s cousin, immortalized him in song, saying:
“Raimundo lived a simple life, and was a man of faith, capable of great gestures.”
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Missa do Vaqueiro?
It is a traditional religious and cultural Mass held in honor of Northeastern Brazilian cowboys in Serrita, Pernambuco.
2. When and where does the event take place?
Every June in Serrita, a city located 554 km from Recife, in the state of Pernambuco.
3. Why is the Missa do Vaqueiro important?
It preserves cultural heritage, strengthens regional identity, and honors the faith and resilience of cowboys.
4. Who was Raimundo Jacó?
A cowboy from Serrita whose death inspired the creation of the Mass; he became a symbol of faith and courage.
5. Why does the event matter to Brazilians living in the USA?
It reconnects immigrants with their roots, traditions, and shared cultural memory.
