BOI

Boi has multiple meanings across languages and cultures. In Portuguese, boi means a bull or ox and is used in rural life to refer to cattle and in related compounds such as boiadeiro (cowboy) and boi manso (tamed ox).

Boi-Bumbá is a traditional Brazilian folk festival that takes place in the Amazon region, most famously in Parintins, Amazonas. The festival centers on a myth about a revived ox and features elaborate parades, music, dances, and dramatic performances. Two rival teams, Garantido and Caprichoso, compete through festivities that blend indigenous, Afro-Brazilian, and European influences, making it a major cultural symbol of the region.

In contemporary LGBTQ+ and queer communities, boi is used as a gender identity and presentation term by some individuals who identify as masculine of center or nonbinary. The usage varies by community and context, and it can carry distinct connotations compared with the broader term “boy.” As with any identity label, it is best used with the person’s preferred terms and consent.

Beyond these senses, BOI is an acronym that can refer to various organizations and terms depending on context. The term’s meaning is thus highly contextual, ranging from language and culture to identity and organizational abbreviations.