Thousands of traditionalists and tourists , last Thursday 12th of January , Salvador , Bahia , celebrated the traditional festival “ Lavagem do Bonfim”. after two years without any religious event due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The syncretic festival , which according to Catholic priests and Orisa practitioners in Salvador , Bahia , is a traditional festival in Salvador , “ it unites all forms of religious beliefs in Salvador, the capital of Bahia “ Says Adelson Amaro
The Lavagem the Bomfim is a traditional festival which actually started during the slave trade era in Brazil , the enslaved Africans were made to wash and participate in church activities. “ Today , it gathers tourist from all over Brazil in Salvador , Bahia” Says Ademilekun
“ It is syncretic , a fusion of religious beliefs . It’s good and smooth here in Bahia , the traditionalists participate in the church activities,. It’s now an annual traditional festival in Salvador “ Says Molina de Ogun
This year’s annual traditional event counted with the presence of important dignitaries in Brazil and overseas . The Governor of Bahia , Jerônimo Rodrigues and the Mayor of Salvador , Bruno Reis were present at the Ecumenical which started at the Basilica of Conceição da Praia where the procession left for the Sacred Hill of Bonfim.
The festivity in honor of Senhor do Bonfim is one of the most emblematic popular manifestations in Salvador and takes place in its traditional format.
The official religious program of Lavagem do Bonfim included the departure of the 8th Walk ‘Washing of Body and Soul’, from the Basilica Sanctuary Nossa Senhora da Conceição da Praia to the Sacred Hill.
The festival brings together faithful Bahians and tourists for at least two centuries in a service of faith to Senhor do Bonfim.
It is a celebration of the entities that mix the profane and religious beliefs . The celebration has become a popular and cultural manifestations of the Bahia people of Brazil .
There are dozens of percussion, wind, samba, afoxé, instrumental bands and other artistic expressions. The arrival of the cortege at the Basilica of Bonfim continues the festivities with the washing of the churchyard and the access stairs to the church.
“ The washing of the Church began in 1773, when members of the “Devoção do Senhor Bom Jesus do Bonfim” made enslaved African people wash and decorate the Church as part of the preparations for the feast of Senhor do Bonfim , the Catholic saint “ -Says Prof Adriano Mar.
