legality of the Northeastern vaquejada

The Northeastern vaquejada is a centuries-old tradition that pays homage to the cowboy's way of life; today, it has become a sport and is a source of income for many communities in rural Brazil. This study aims to analyse the conflict between cultural tradition and environmental protection, characterised by the defence of the animals involved in the competition. The study presents various elements demonstrating that, unlike other practices such as cockfighting and the 'farra do boi', the Northeastern Vaquejada is based on noble values and does not seek to cause animal suffering under any circumstances.