Fairs & Events
Festa do Divino in Paraty
Among Brazil’s most sumptuous cultural and religious expressions
Divulgação: PASCOM Paraty
|
The Festa do Divino is held on the day of Pentecost (50 days after Easter) in the first week of June, and the celebration in Paraty dates back to the 18th century. The festivities involve the local community and domestic and overseas tourists alike, who follow this traditional event along the town’s streets. The activities last for ten days: masses, litanies, auctions, games, stalls that sell anything, bingos, shows and ciranda circles.
According to tradition, the boy-emperor is crowned and attends religious and profane ceremonies together with his vassals, such as in the dance of ribbons, xiba cateretê, the old folks’ dance, and a parade by the typical Paraty giant dolls from folk tradition, made by local artisans and imparting life to characters such as Boi, Cavalinho, Peneirinha and Miota.
As a part of the ritual, the boy-emperor bearing his crown and scepter reigns with special powers: he has a place on the imperial throne on the altar’s right side, hands out medals to the public and symbolically releases a prisoner from the local jail. The feast is concluded with the year’s master of ceremonies handing over the master banner to the person who will take his place in the following year.
More information: www.igrejaparati.com.br / secretariadaparoquia@hotmail.com