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Dança dos Orixás

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 trance. When the orixá manifests through the initiate, the initiate is dressed elaborately in full regalia as the orixá. The orixá is returned to the public circle and continues to dance while others cheer, sing, and greet the orixá. The orixá may offer advice and healing to many people that are in attendance.

Each orixá has its own dance movements, greetings, songs, and drum rhythms, many of which are showcased in non-religious performances, and even Afro-Brazilian dance classes, and other folkloric events. In the video below, Balé folclórico da Bahia performs dances for Ogum, Oxum, Obaluayê, Iansã (Oya), Oxossi, and Oxalá (Obatala) respectively.

 

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Santos Cosme e Damião (and Caruru!)

The festa of São Cosme and São Damião (Saint Cosmas and Saint Damian) occurs on the 27th of September. It’s a day when everybody eats carurú, a kind of vegetable stew made from quiabo (okra), dried shrimp, dendê oil, and ground cashews. However, whenever someone says they are having a carurú, they mean that guests are served a traditional plate that includes this food (plus vatapá, among other things). It’s one of many traditional Bahian holidays celebrated by people coming together in family, food, and friendship. Since the two saints were twin brothers, Cosme and Damião are syncretized with the orixá of twin children called Ibeji.

RECIPE – CARURU

2 lbs. okra, trimmed and cut into small rounds

1 large onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic

1 Tbsp. grated fresh ginger

1 lb. dried small smoked shrimp (found in African or International markets), ground in food processor

1/2 lb. roasted, unsalted, cashews, ground in food processor

3/4 cup dendê oil

juice of one lime

hot water

Heat the dendê oil in a large heavy saucepan, add the onion and garlic and fry until soft. Add the ginger and cook for an additional minute or two. Add the okra, and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the okra is soft. Add the ground shrimp and cashews, and cook for an additional five minutes. Add water just to cover. Continue to cook at low temperature, checking consistency. If the dish becomes very thick and slippery, add the lime juice. Let cook until the okra seeds change color from white to rosy-pink, about 15 minutes. Serve hot.

Source: http://flavorsofbrazil.blogspot.com/2009/10/recipe-caruru.html

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Exú – Messenger of the Orixás

Exu Laroye

In Candomblé and Umbanda, Exú is the orixá that serves as the messenger between humankind and the orixás. When offerings are made to the orixás, Exú receives his first so that he may deliver the axé of the offerings and messages to the other orixás for them to receive and accept it. Therefore, he is always honored first in any ritual or ceremony. Exú is the opener of doors (opportunities) and owns the crossroads. He is the spiritual energy of communication, choices, as well as cause and effect. Though he is seen as playful and childlike, he also delivers justice to those who choose the wrong path and don’t offer sacrifice for their blessings, therefore called a trickster. Yet, he is good to those who are good to him and remember their obligations to God (Olodumarê) and the orixás. In Brazil, you will commonly find plates of food and candles left in the streets at crossroads. These are offerings to Exú as a petition to open the way for blessings and prosperity.

 

Salutation: LAROYE!

colors: red and black

Weekday: Monday

Food: Yam, yellow corn flour Pade with palm oil

Symbols: Erect phallus

Elements: Earth and Fire

Domains: pathways, crossings, doorways.

Day: August 24

Syncretism: St. Anthony or Archangel Gabriel

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Festa de Oxóssi

On January 20 many Brazilians celebrate the orixá Oxóssi (pronounced oh-SHAW-see) who manifests as vegetation and is represented by the forests that provide food for the world. He also represents the abundant harvest and prosperity. Oxóssi is characterized as a lone hunter with a bow and arrow and is an excellent tracker who is supplicated to find a path out of any difficult situation, a solution to any problem, or to achieve a targeted goal. His colors are green and sky blue, and offerings for him are axoxó (red corn with coconut), various fruits, roasted black eye peas. He is also syncretized with the Catholic saints George and Sebastian.

 

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Hey DC! We’ve got a busy weekend ahead and we’ Hey DC! We’ve got a busy weekend ahead and we’re so excited for it! Join us for any or all of our performances! Saturday 12p: Afro-Atlantic Histories Festival @ngadc 3:30p: Mt Pleasant family show @dcpl Sunday 5pm: Season Opener halftime show @washingtonspirit
Hi friends! Be sure to catch us at our next show w Hi friends! Be sure to catch us at our next show when we play at the Afro-Atlantic Histories Festival @ngadc National Gallery of Art on April 30th at 12pm.
Also, check out this great exhibition that opens tomorrow. 
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Another @runrocknroll in the books! Congrats to al Another @runrocknroll in the books! Congrats to all the runners! Also, shout out to all the race staff, volunteers, and city employees that make it all happen! 👟🥁 #batalahey
International Women’s Day - Celebrated annually International Women’s Day - Celebrated annually on March 8. Is a day that commemorates the social, political and economic achievements of women. Women in different parts of the world use this day to come together to celebrate one another and rally for equal treatment and representation. Batala Hey to all the wonderful women of the world! 🎉❤️💃🏽🎶🥁
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We had a fabulous time celebrating Mardi Gras yest We had a fabulous time celebrating Mardi Gras yesterday with everyone that came out to @thewharfdc for the parade! #mardigras #bataláhey ⚜️💚💜❤️🥁 

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Looking for something fun to do this coming Saturd Looking for something fun to do this coming Saturday? Batalá Washington will be participating at this year’s Mardi Grass Parade at The Wharf. Festivities start at 3pm. February 26 at 3pm. Hope to see you there! 

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Happy Black History Month from Batalá Washington! Happy Black History Month from Batalá Washington!
Batalá Washington’s mission is to empower women through music and drumming and to expose our DC community to the Afro-Brazilian, most specifically to the Afro-Bahian, music and culture. We celebrate and honor all the Afro-Brazilian artists and musicians who inspire us every day.
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HAPPY NEW YEAR 2022 to our Batala DC Familia. Wish HAPPY NEW YEAR 2022 to our Batala DC Familia. Wishing the new year brings much happiness, health and samba reggae and funk beats to all. Feliz Ano Novo. Batala Hey!.
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We had an amazing (& chilly) morning playing for a We had an amazing (& chilly) morning playing for all the runners of the @runrocknroll half marathon! Thanks to all the runners, staff, volunteers, first responders and crowd for a great race! 👟🥁
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