Saci Day: October 31st

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Saci Day is celebrated in October 31st, the same day that the halloween.

The date was created in 2003, with the aim of rescuing and valuing the folklore of our country, promoting national culture and Brazilian traditions.

Saci-pererê is one of the most emblematic figures in Brazilian folklore and has indigenous and African influences.

Origin: how did Saci Day come about?

Dia do Saci was created in 2003, through Federal Bill No. 2,762 proposed by Deputy Aldo Rebelo. However, only later was this date made official.

In 2013, the Education and Culture Commission drafted Federal Law No. 2,479, which institutes the 31st of October as the Day of Saci.

The proponents were Federal Deputy Chico Alencar and Councilor of São José dos Campos Ângela Guadagnin.

Check excerpts from Bill No. 2,479, of 2003:

“Instituting the “Day of Saci” represents offering society an instrument for valuing popular culture as a fundamental element in the constitution of Brazilian identity. Through the annual forecast of the commemoration of the date, in the form of cultural events and festive activities, the initiatives propose the rescue and appreciation of our traditions and folkloric manifestations originals.”
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“We understand that the annual celebration of the “Day of Saci” will allow a systematic contact with the variety and beauty of traditions of the country, in order to strengthen the process of consolidating the national identity as well as the self-esteem of the people Brazilian."

However, in the state of São Paulo, Dia do Saci had already been made official in 2004 through State Law No. 11,669.

On that day, many educational institutions in the country propose activities related to this folk figure.

The idea is to spread the story of Brazilian folklore, as many do not know the legends that involve the imagination of our country.

Despite the initiative, the Dia do Saci is still not widely celebrated by Brazilians.

Saci Day Activities

Since the date was made official in Brazil, schools usually hold events related to the figure of Saci.

Among the proposed activities, we suggest:

Saci's doll making;
Making red caps;
Reading of legends;
theatrical presentations;
Games: hunting the Saci, creating woolly horsehairs and setting up a circuit with them to see who is the fastest to tie them;
Singing songs.

Child holding Saci's doll — Child holding Saci's puppet. Source: SOSACI - Society of Observers of Saci

Children wearing hats participating in Saci Day activity — Children wearing bonnets participating in the Saci Day activity. Source: SOSACI - Society of Observers of Saci

Saci-pererê music

Music by Saci Pererê: Folklore Gang

Saci's Day and halloween

Behind its creation, Saci Day reveals a response to the discomfort that many people feel in relation to the celebration of the halloween.

Note that the halloween (Halloween) is a traditional festival that takes place in several Anglo-Saxon countries, especially in the United States.

It is a party that began to be disseminated in Brazil many years ago. The main culprits were American cinema and language schools, which began to publicize the date.

Thus, Saci Day appears in opposition to the culture of English-speaking countries. For this reason, the date chosen was October 31, the same day that the halloween in different parts of the world.

Check out an excerpt from Bill No. 2,479, of 2003:

“The chosen date, October 31, the day on which Halloween is celebrated, “Halloween”, in the United States, seems pertinent to us. The celebration of Halloween in Brazil – like so many other celebrations of North American culture with a strong commercial appeal – has attracted an increasing number of young people and children. Creating, on the same date, the “Day of Saci” is, therefore, a way of offering Brazilian youth the alternative of celebrating the manifestations of their own culture.”

Interested in learning more about what you've just read? Be sure to check the contents below.

Halloween: origin, history, traditions and symbols
Halloween: origin, history, games, costumes and symbols

Legend of Saci-pererê

According to the legend, Saci-pererê is a very cunning and very naughty black boy.

Among the main antics, Saci likes to knot the manes and tails of horses, to confuse people and animals with whistles, making things disappear, and exchanging salt containers for sugar in the Kitchens.

Want to know more about folk legends? Be sure to read the texts below!

Legend of Saci-pererê
Brazilian folklore legends
Werewolf legend
Legend of the headless mule
Açaí legend
legend of the blue jay

Saci-pererê Characteristics

Discover the main features of Saci.

It has only one leg.
Wears a red hat.
He smokes a pipe.
It usually travels through a whirlpool.
Practice a lot of mischief.

Curiosities about Saci-pererê

Monteiro Lobato, one of the greatest writers for children and youth in Brazil, was one of those responsible for spreading the legend of Saci, with the book collection “Sítio do Pica-pau Amarelo”.
Saci's character gained space on the small screens with a program of the same name from Monteiro Lobato's book collection, and with drawings inspired by national folklore.
The city of Botucatu, in the interior of São Paulo, is considered the national capital of Saci. In it is located the National Association of Creators of Saci (ANCS), whose main purpose is to promote this folk figure.
In São Luiz do Paraitinga, São Paulo, the Society of Observers of Saci (SOSACI) was created. It is an organization that aims to value Brazilian popular culture by encouraging the development of projects that promote its dissemination.