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The Malê Revolt

The Malê Revolt, also known as The Great Revolt, is one of the most significant slave rebellions in Brazil. In the early morning hours on January 25, 1835, in the city of Salvador da Bahia, hundreds of black Muslim slaves and freedmen rose up against the city’s governing class. Muslims were called malê in Bahia at this time, from the Yoruba imale that designated a Yoruba Muslim. The uprising also took place on the feast day of Our Lady of Guidance (Nossa Senhora da Guia), one of the many celebrations of the Church of Bonfim at that time, and concurrently was also the 27th day of Ramadan. Consequently, the revolt was quickly suppressed in three hours and soon drastic, repressive measures began to be enacted against the Black community. Although it was not the end of resistance, this was the last known slave revolt in Brazil.

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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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Lavagem do Bonfim

This celebration happens on the second Thursday after Epiphany (Three Kings Day). It is the second most popular party in Salvador, after Carnival. The washing of the Igreja do Bonfim (Church of Bonfim) steps is a  tradition that mixes the faiths of the two main religions:  Catholicism and the Candomblé. The mães de santos, female priests in the Candomblé religion, dress in ritual costumes and start the procession at the Conceição da Praia church by walking, dancing, singing religious songs, and carrying flowers up to the top of Bonfim Church. There, they wash the stairways of the church with scented water.

Senhor do Bonfim became an object of popular devotion due to his powerful miracles. He is syncretized with the orixá Oxalá (Obatala). Thousands  of believers accompany the procession in search of protection, to pay a hommage, purification of their soul, or simply to have fun. It’s a huge party with lots of batucada (drumming). A huge party starts around the Mercado Modelo earlier in the day and an even bigger party continues around the Church of Bonfim later in the day and into the night.