“The Armadillo” is about a seasonal celebration in Brazil called Festa Junina (June Festival), or Festa de São João (Festival of St. John). The month of June is in the winter in South America, and it contains celebrations for several saints, especially St. John the Baptist, whose birthday is celebrated on June 24. Other saints who are celebrated during June in Brazil include St. Anthony (whose celebration day is on June 13) and St. Peter (whose celebration day is on June 29). This seasonal celebration highlights Brazil’s Catholic culture and Portuguese colonialism. It is modeled off of the European midsummer celebrations (which happen during Brazil’s winter) as a harvest festival. The Festa de São João can be compared to the annual Carnival (celebrated in February), which is the only festival more popular in Brazil than the Festa de São João. Both are Catholic celebrations, and both include dancing, music, costumes, food, and drinks. The Festa Junina features a dance called quadrilha and a type of music called forró.

It also includes games, bonfires, and fireworks. Fire balloons, which are similar to paper lanterns, which are released daily during the June celebrations are the focus of “The Armadillo.” Bishop notes the frequency of the fireworks, “almost every night” (Line 2) in June.