Festa do Divino (Festival of the Divine Holy Spirit)

Portuguese colonists brought their Pentecost celebration, the Festa do Divino, to Brazil in the 17th century. This religious festival is still celebrated today in many Brazilian cities. In Alcântara, Maranhão State, and Paraty, Rio de Janeiro State, the townspeople dress up in colonial costumes of figures from Brazilian history. The climax is a visit from the “Emperor,” who arrives with his servants for a procession and mass at the church square. He symbolically frees prisoners from the town jail, and strolling musicians known as Folias do Divino serenade the townspeople.

Source: The Free Dictionary

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