Mandacaru is a generic denomination in Portuguese for plants of the Cactaceae family, characterized by being large-sized, arboreal cactuses, with thick trunks ramified with a woody base, with flowers that open at night and fruit that is usually edible.

When peeled, the latter were white as Mani. With this, the Indians thanked Tupã, and since then have not stopped planting and eating from that root, giving it the name Mani-oca, which means ‘house of Mani’. Through the elaboration of beijus and cauim – a popular drink among them.

It began in the second half of the 16th century, arising from the belief in the return of Dom Sebastian, king of Portugal, who disappeared in the Battle of Alcácer-Quibir in África on 4 August 1578 while commanding the Portuguese troops.

It is the most traditional festival in the cattle cycle in Northeast Brazil, currently an urban and public event that attracts a large number of onlookers. It consists of a gathering of cattle at the end of winter to care for them, castrating, breeding and treating wounds.