Saci Day in Brazil Date in the current year: October 31, 2024

Saci is a character in Brazilian folklore that looks like a one-legged black or mulatto youngster who wears a magical red cap and smokes a pipe. The cap enables Saci to disappear and reappear in the middle of a dust devil. In most parts of Brazil, Saci is considered an annoying trickster, although in others he is viewed as as a malicious and potentially dangerous creature.

Saci is an incorrigible prankster who is fond of causing trouble, although he does no major harm. He hides children’s toys, teases dogs, sets animal loose, prevents chicken eggs from hatching, spills salt, burns food, sours the milk, drops flies into the sup. In short, Brazilians are used to blame anything that goes wrong on Saci. But if you lure him into a trap or steal his magical cap, Saci will grant a wish in return of his liberty.

Saci Day was conceived as a celebration of Brazilian folklore and culture, designed to weaken the “American influence” of Halloween. It is celebrated mainly among the youngest students, for whom Saci plays a magical and at the same time frightening role. Many teenagers still prefer Halloween with its pumpkins, costumes, and trick-or-treating.