Learn all about Holy Spirit Festival in Brazil
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| Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class - Holidays in Brazil Series at PortuguesePod101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind holidays and observances in Brazil. I’m Becky, and you're listening to Season 1, Lesson 24. “Holy Spirit Festival,” or Festa do Divino in Portuguese. |
| During the season of Pentecost, the Feast of the Divine is held in a number of Brazilian cities. In this lesson, we'll talk about the Feast of the Holy Spirit of Pirenópolis, a religious cultural tradition celebrated in the Brazilian city of Pirenópolis, in the Brazilian Midwest. |
| Now, before we get into more detail, I've got a question for you- |
| Why, after independence, was the ruler of Brazil given the title of "Emperor" and not "King"? |
| If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later, so keep listening! |
| The Feast of the Holy Spirit was already celebrated in Portugal, and marked the end of the agricultural cycle, harvest time. This sacred festival also marks the Pentecost, occurring exactly fifty days after “Easter,” or Páscoa in Portuguese. On this day, the holy spirit—the third person of the Holy Trinity—is honored with banquets and the distribution of food and alms. |
| This tradition was brought to Brazil by the European settlers, and then was popularized by the Jesuits in Brazil and in the Azores. |
| Today, many Brazilian cities celebrate the Feast of the Divine, but the tradition was attributed to the city of Pirenópolis by the Brazilian Historic and Artistic National Heritage Institute. |
| Pirenópolis has a rich blend of Portuguese tradition, including customs of African origin and indigenous beliefs. Its celebration of the “Feast of the Holy Spirit,” or Festa do Divino Espírio Santo in Portuguese, is one of the country's most expressive, incorporating both religious and secular events, including the coronation of the Holy Emperor, “masquerades,” or mascarados in Portuguese, and cavalcades. In addition they also have the mass, processions, and other fun events. There are twelve days of celebration in the month of May culminating on the Sunday of Pentecost. |
| The “cavalcade,” or cavalhada in Portuguese, one of the main ritual events, is a show that recreates medieval tournaments and recounts the battles between the “Christians,” or cristãos in Portuguese and the “Moors,” or mouros in Portuguese. Its characters are Christian knights dressed in blue and Moorish knights dressed in red, and courtly and masked personages. For three days, a different battle is staged every day. But in the end, the Christians win and the Moors convert to Christianity. |
| Participants in the masquerade wear animal masks and fancy and colorful clothes, and create an uproar in the streets of the city. They frighten the evil spirits away. |
| The good music and dancing is definitely not to be missed. During the celebrations, there is forró dancing in the ballrooms, and everywhere. And for women, enjoy—entry is free! |
| Now it's time to answer our quiz question- |
| Why, after independence, was the ruler of Brazil given the title of "Emperor," or imperador in Portuguese, and not "King"? |
| In 1822, the festive tradition was already so widespread in the country that people were more familiar with the title of Holy Emperor than Divine King. So, Pedro I became the first Emperor of Brazil. |
| How was this lesson? Did you learn anything interesting? |
| Do you celebrate Pentecost in your country? |
| Leave your comments on the lesson page at PortuguesePod101.com, and we'll see you in the next lesson! |
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