| Salvador - Festivities - Washing of Bonfim |
SALVADOR
Festivities
Washing of Bonfim
(Lavagem de Bonfim)
The devotion of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim began in Bahia in 1745, when the portuguese Marine Comander Theodósio Rodrigues
de Farias decided to bring to Salvador a copy of the image of the Saint that existed in the city of Sétubal, in Portugal. The image remained
in the Penha Church (Igreja da Penha) until 1754, until the Nosso Senhor do Bonfim Church (Igreja de Nosso Senhor do Bonfim) was built. When
the church was finished, the celebrstion to the Saint increased and the number of whorshippers increased as well.
The festval in honor of Senhor do Bonfim gathers together all the religions, catholics, jewish, muslisms, kardecism, and
principally the candonmblé. This religion doesn't mix with catholicism due to ideological questions, but, Senhor do Bonfim was compared to
a divinty in the candomblé. The Oxalá, represented by white which means peace, calm and tranquility the Saint is considered to be the father
of this religion. That is low the flowers of candomblé started to adore the Senhor do Bonfim, taking part in the organization and holding of
the cult. The mixture among the religious proved even more what the Saint represents to the population.
The cult is held during nine days, which is called "novena" and ends on the second Sunday after Kings Day. The
washing of the staircase of the Bonfim Church (Igreja de Bonfim) is done before the end of the period of the celebration. This ritual is
done in thanks to the Saint because the people ask him for protection, health, peace and many had their requests answered. Even those who
didn't have their requested answered, continue trying, because faith comes in first place.
To wash the staircase, all the devotees meet at the starting place, the Nossa Senhora da Conceição da Praia Church
(Igreja Nossa Senhora da Conceição da Praia), and go over to the Nosso Senhor do Bonfim Church (Igreja de Nosso Senhor de Bonfim).
On the walk over, devotees, authorities that make a point of taking in the cerimony, carnival groups specially the
Baianas, that represent the culture of Bahia. They walk, typically dressed, in white to represent the Oxalá, carry a vase of scented water
on their heads and flowers. The staircase is washed with the water carried by the Baianas, it is a process of purification, or, a washing
of the sins.
Formerly, the Washing of Bonfim was held inside the church but the Archidiocese of the city vetoed this cerimony, which
had to be modified. The Baianas now wash the outside part of the staircase. While the ritual is being done, the church remains closed. The
involvement of the carnival groups in the celebration of the Saint was one of the main reasons for the change because their presence, the
cult doesn't represent a religious celebration.
The Washing of Bonfim has become one of the principal events of Salvador. Now it isn't just a ritual of the culture of
Bahia but a festival for the whole world. Slavador receives many tourists during the period of the Washing of Bonfim and the structure of
the celebration is very well organized so that there will be no problems. At the end December, the preparation of the ritual begin for the
festival which is always held in January. |
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