Ritual of Raising the Masts Opens Sairé 2025 in Alter do Chão with Tradition and Faith
Ceremony marks the beginning of the largest cultural manifestation in the interior of the Amazon, with support from the Government of Pará
On this Thursday (18), the district of Alter do Chão, in Santarém, was the stage for the traditional Ritual of Raising the Masts, which marked the official opening of Sairé 2025, considered the largest and oldest cultural manifestation in the interior of the Amazon. The event was supported by the Government of the State of Pará and attended by the regional government secretary of Baixo Amazonas, Nélio Aguiar, the president of the Cultural Foundation of Pará (FCP), Thiago Miranda, as well as residents, tourists, and visitors.
The ceremony was conducted by the central characters of the festival — Captain, Stewards, Judges, Judgeesses, Saraipora, Procuradeira, and Despenseira — in a procession that departed from the Sairé Square towards the Cajueiro Beach, where the masts taken from the forest last Saturday (13) awaited the ritual. Under the leadership of the Judges and Judgeesses, men and women carried the masts on their shoulders to the Party Barracão, in the Sairé Square, for the raising of the flags of Brazil, Pará, Santarém, Alter do Chão, and Sairé itself. The decoration of the masts was made with branches, flowers, and fruits, in allusion to abundance.
The competition for raising the masts between men and women — a tradition of the festival — lasted about three minutes. In this edition, the men emerged victorious, after two consecutive victories by the women.
The captain of Sairé, Célio Camargo, who has held the position for 21 years, highlighted the importance of the moment.
“It is a great responsibility, but I feel honored and grateful to God for giving me this mission and for us to be here once again at the forefront of the procession. It will be a great Sairé for everyone,” he stated.
One of the most symbolic points of the ritual was led by the Saraipora, responsible for carrying the arch of the Holy Trinity, an object of great veneration in the religious rite.
Emotion of the visitors
Coming from various parts of the country and the world, tourists followed the moment of faith and celebration. The paulista Sandra Santos, 48 years old, shared her experience.
“I came in search of a connection with the Amazonian roots, to feel the strength of the culture, to know the rites. The Raising of the Masts moved me — seeing so many people united by faith, by tradition, by art, is more than a spectacle: it is a reunion with something profound,” she said.
The regional government secretary of Baixo Amazonas, Nélio Aguiar, emphasized the State's commitment to ensuring a safe festival.
“Sairé is the soul of our culture, and the Government of Pará is committed to ensuring a safe festival. With the work of security agencies and the collaboration of the population, we will experience days of joy and celebration in Alter do Chão without worries,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the president of the Cultural Foundation of Pará, Thiago Miranda, highlighted the cultural and tourist relevance of the event.
“Amazonian culture pulses in manifestations like Sairé. By supporting this event, the State reaffirms its commitment to preserving our rituals, valuing our artists, and promoting cultural tourism that respects and celebrates our identity,” he said.
The masts will remain raised until next Monday (22), the date scheduled for the official closing of Sairé 2025. On Saturday (20), the program includes the traditional Festival of the Botos, with the competition between the groups Cor de Rosa and Tucuxi, at the Lake of the Botos.
