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The traditional Rio Branco Cultural Arraial 2025, promoted by the Government of Acre, returns in full force at the end of June in Gameleira. One of the great attractions of the event will be the State Juninas Gang Contest, which will bring together groups from both the capital and the interior of the state
In this special coverage of Rio Branco Cultural Arraial 2025, we will show a little more of the June gangs, with a look at the interior gangs, which carry in their steps and colors the strength of regional culture and the importance of tradition for acrean communities.
The Junina Matutos Gang Avesso, from Tarauacá, has 16 years of operation in the local culture / ceded
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Traditional groups such as Junina Farofa de Capeta, from Sena Madureira; The Junine Explosion Gang of Placido de Castro; the Junina Forrozeira gang of Porto Acre; the Junina Manguaça gang, also from Madureira Sena; The Junina Matutos Gang reverse, from Tarauacá; And the Junina Tradition Gang of Epitaciolândia will be present in the contest, bringing to the Cultural Arraial a lot of energy, creativity and the festive spirit that only the June gangs of the interior can express.
Junina Farofa de Capeta – Sena Madureira
The Junina Farofa de Capeta, by Sena Madureira, was founded in 1995 by the United Youth Group of the Bairro do Bosque (JUBB), with the purpose of valuing and preserving the traditions of June parties in the local community. Since then, the group has been dedicated to keeping this cultural expression alive, involving the population in the presentations and the organization of activities.
Over the years, the gang has won important titles, accumulating eight municipal championships and five intercity in cities such as Xapuri, Plácido de Castro and Manoel Urbano. Currently, the group has about 60 members and conducts their rehearsals at the Secretariat of Citizenship, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and on the court of Praça do Bosque, Tuesdays and Thursdays. The general coordination is in charge of Denizo Xavier.
For the Rio Branco Cultural Arraial 2025, the expectation of the Capeta farofa is very positive. The group will present the show “Donkey Cargo – Our Daily Bay”, which uses the donkey’s metaphor to reflect on the social and economic inequalities faced by many people daily. Participation in the event represents an opportunity to strengthen local cultural identity, promote community integration and provide entertainment with social reflection.
Junina Farofa de Capeta, from Sena Madureira, was founded in 1995 by the United Youth Group of the Bosque neighborhood (JUBB) / Cedido
Junina Explosion – Plácido de Castro
Plácido de Castro’s Junina Explosion came in 2016, initially as a theater group. Over time, it has become a cultural association dedicated to promoting activities aimed at the peripheral rural community of Vila Campinas, where it is located.
In 2024, the group won the title of Plácido de Castro Municipal Champion, demonstrating that, despite the challenges, the passion for St. John and popular culture is what keeps the group united and strong.
The rehearsals of the June explosion take place daily, from Sunday to Sunday, including from the scenic preparation of the members to the workshops to make costumes and clothing, involving the entire team.
For the 2025 Cultural Arraial, expectations are the best possible. The group recognizes the importance of the event, which is the most anticipated among the interior gangs, and values the unique opportunity to participate and show their work at the June party.
The Junina Explosion, by Plácido de Castro, emerged in 2016, initially as a theater group / ceded
Junina Matutos by Avesso – Tarauacá
The Junina Matutos Gang Avesso, from Tarauacá, has 16 years of operation in local culture. The group was founded by students, with the support of two teachers, initially to perform in the school’s village. After some appearances in the State Cultural Arraial by 2015, the group paused eight years, returning in 2023 to local and regional events.
So far, the gang has not yet won titles, not for lack of commitment, but due to the limitation of structure and resources, which make it difficult to achieve higher levels of competition. Even so, they keep struggling to reach the long -awaited title.
The rehearsals take place from Monday to Friday in a school court provided in partnership by the school board. The gang is made up of about 60 members, including parents and mothers, students from municipal, state and federal networks, as well as LGBTQIA+, indigenous and black people, who are intensely dedicated to local culture, promoting inclusion and diversity.
For the 2025 Cultural Arraial, the expectation is very positive. The group feels more prepared to represent Tarauacá with claw and determination, breaking barriers and running after dreams, always thanking God and everyone who supports and believes in the work of the gang.
Junina Tradition – Epitacioland
The Junina Tradition gang of Epitaciolândia was founded by Professor Ricardo Maffi with the objective of promoting and preserving the June culture, starting his activities at the Belo Porvir High School, with the support of principal Icarus Olegário. Over time, the group gained prominence and support from Mayor Sérgio Lopes, becoming a cultural reference in the municipality and giving space for young people to express their art through dance, theater and music.
Since its inception, the gang has been dedicated to valuing popular culture, uniting tradition and innovation in its shows, which combine traditional elements with contemporary narratives. This has won audiences and awards at regional festivals. In March 2025, the gang was officially recognized as a historical-cultural heritage of the State of Acre, a title that reinforces its importance for the region’s identity and culture.
The rehearsals take place regularly, and the group is mainly composed of young people in the city who find a form of cultural and social protagonism in the gang. In 2025, the presentation of the Tradition Gang will have as its theme “Patron”, honoring São Sebastião, patron of Epitaciolândia.
For the 2025 Cultural Arraial, expectations are the best possible. In addition to representing the city, the gang seeks to value young people and strengthen June traditions. In 2024, the Junina Gang Tradition participated in the Rio Branco Cultural Arraial, the Xapuri Gang Festival-where he was runner-up-and the Brasiléia Cultural Arraial, showing his strength in the Acre cultural scene.
Since its inception, the gang has been dedicated to valuing popular culture, uniting tradition and innovation in its shows, which combine traditional elements with contemporary / ceded narratives
Junina Manguaça – Sena Madureira
The Junina Manguaça gang has been around for over 23 years in Sena Madureira and is one of the most important expressions of local popular culture. Founded by the community and maintained by the voluntary collaboration of its members and supporters, Manguaça is a space of cultural resistance, social inclusion and community protagonism, promoting activities that value diversity and regional culture.
The group still has no specific titles mentioned, but stands out for its continuous work in cultural formation and promoting the local creative economy, hiring professionals from the city and involving various segments of society in its actions. Their essays and activities are performed with the participation of people of all ages and social groups, including black people, LGBTQIAP+, the elderly, women, young people of vulnerability, among others, ensuring a cozy and inclusive space.
The gang promotes intergenerational dance, theater, making costumes and other cultural activities, strengthening the ties between different generations and communities. His work also includes articulation with other local organizations, reinforcing popular culture and intangible heritage in the region.
For Arraial Cultural 2025, the expectation is to maintain and expand this cultural and social protagonism, valuing diversity and promoting the integration of the community through art and the June tradition, always focusing on inclusion and strengthening local identity.
The Junina Manguaça Gang has been in existed for over 23 years in Sena Madureira and is one of the most important expressions of local / ceded popular culture
Junina Forrozeira – Porto Acre
Junina Forrozeira was created on May 5, 2022. Since then, the group has participated in two contests in the same year: the state contest of June gangs, where they won sixth place, and Placido Caipira, although the result of the latter was not accurately remembered. The group is made up of adolescents from 14 and young, currently totaling 56 members who participate as players and in the scenic body, which includes the typical gang marriage.
Rehearsals and preparations are focused on working on the theme of the year: “Between rubber tappers and battles, a forbidden love.” This proposal portrays the history of Porto Acre, a historic municipality where the war that involved Plácido de Castro and the surrender of the Bolivians. The show brings this narrative to dance and theater, showing the context of war and the resistance of the rubber tappers who fought against the Bolivians.
The story also addresses a forbidden romance between the daughter of a rubber owner, and a Bolivian captain, creating a conflict between love and loyalty to the homeland. This theme reflects the social and political tensions of that period, illustrating how personal relationships mingle with local historical events.
For Arraial Cultural 2025, expectations are to present a performance that rescues the memory and history of the municipality, while thrilling and involves the public, reinforcing the importance of popular culture and June tradition as a way of preserving local identity and educating the past.
Rehearsals and preparations are aimed at working on the theme of the year: “Between rubber and battles, a forbidden love” / ceded
The June gangs in the interior of Acre reveal the region’s richness and cultural diversity, uniting history, art and community in presentations that go far beyond entertainment. Each group carries with itself a mission of preserving traditions, strengthening local identities and promoting social inclusion, showing that popular culture is a potent instrument of transformation and resistance. With their unique stories, commitment to rehearsals and themes that dialogue with the reality and memory of cities, these gangs play a fundamental role in the cultural camp 2025, promising to bring emotion, reflection and joy to the public, celebrating the acre immaterial heritage with pride and creativity.
