although the origins of the tale aren't really known, its' supposed that they might go back to the 17th century when the great herds owned by the landlords dominated the northeastern landscape of brazil. 

xaxado also borrows much from the african folklore brought with the slaves - due to this connection to the african tradition the festivities were persecuted for many years, but with time the 'bumba-meu-boi' became deeply ingrained in the brazilian culture.