New Experiences

Over the past two days we have had several new experiences. The first was last night, attending a Camdomble ceremony. Orixas (Orishas) are deities that are guardians of the elements of nature.  There are various orixas representing water, fire, metal, etc.  The Camdomble ceremony we attended last  night was for lemanja.  The ceremony was in a white building that had concrete bleachers.  The women sat on one side of the building and the men on the opposite.  The front of the room was wide open and that was where the dancing took place.  At first the men and women danced in a circle counterclockwise.  They did various motions to the different drummed songs.  The women all had lace shirts, with large skirts in bright blues, greens and white colors. They all wore fabric wrapped around their hair and head.  The men had what appeared to be tunics on either in all white or greens and blues.  They too had a head cap.  About an hour into the ceremony, the people that were being initiated appeared to take a spirit.  I will admit this part was at times hard to watch as it didn't seem believable for someone who didn't understand the religion.  Groups moved around at random and then left to the back of the building.  We were told later that they were determining which orixa they possessed.  There was an 'intermission' were food was served (we did not eat) and then those being initiated came back out to the drum music in colors and props that were related to their orixa.  Our tour guide, Roberto, told us that it takes 7 months from the time the person is selected to the initiation Camdomble ceremony.  It can take several years until the person is selected to be the initiation.  I was very glad we got to experience this as it is religion that many people in Salvador practice.  We could not take pictures, but there are several statues around the city celebrating the Orixas.  I will try to take a picture to share.

Our next new experience was volunteering at our placement.  Today was the first day!  I worked with the children for the day which was very tiring but very rewarding.  They are beautiful beautiful children.  Just driving to the placement was emotional.  We passed many favelas.  Some of the houses have windows and stucco exteriors while others are just one layer of brick with motar and many holes. They are extremely small.  Picture your entire family living in the size of a medium sized bathroom.

Today was also our Capoeira and Samba lesson.  What a great time!  I laughed so much my face hurt.  I am looking forward to our next lesson, next Monday.

Tchou,
Bethany