In the terreiro (places of worship in Candomblé), a xirê (which means circle and pronounced ‘shee-RAY’) is a dance ceremony (usually open to the public) that is held to invoke the orixás as a part of Candomblé ritual. The initiated dance for the orixás and the orixás enter and dance through the bodies of the initiates through […]
Dia de Finados or Dia dos Mortos
O Dia de Finados, or Dia dos Mortos (also known as the Roman Catholic, All Souls Day), is celebrated as a national holiday every year on November 2. In Brazil, Finados is considered a national holiday. The day is meant to honor loved ones who have died. Many Brazilians will visit the cemeteries where they will […]
Obaluayê
August 16 is generally when many celebrate the feast for Omolu/Obaluayê (who is associated with St. Lazarus and St. Roche). Obaluayê (oh-baloo-ai-YAY) is the praise name meaning “King of the Earth” and is strongly associated with infectious disease and healing, as well as the earth itself. Legend has it that Obaluayê was born to Nanã Buruku […]