Second to Carnival, washing the steps of this church is the most important celebration of Bahia. Thousands of people gather on Mondays and Thursdays in January at 10 a.m. for the eight-kilometer walk to the church of Bonfim. The procession, repeated each year since 1754, is led by women in full skirts and turbans, followed by the Sons of Gandhi and multitudes of the faithful. When they arrive at the church, singing hymns, they sprinkle the steps with scented water. Dera paints a beautiful representation of this ritual in warm color. Titled Lavagem do Bonfim in Portuguese.
Language: English
