Festa do Divino – literally, "Festival of the Divine [Holy Ghost]" is one of the most important Catholic and folkloric yearly festivities in Brazil. Celebrated 50 days after Easter, it marks Pentecost, or the descent of the Holy Ghost upon Jesus Christ's Apostles. In Brazil, a few towns commemorate it at other times of the year. Festa do Divino is a rich expression of faith and tradition that was first brought to Brazil by the Portuguese colonizers.
Paraty, on the Green Coast of Rio de Janeiro, hosts the best-known Festa do Divino in Brazil. Festivities last ten days and preparations take weeks.
Every Festival of the Holy Ghost has one or more festeiros, or festival hosts, chosen in a draw every year to organize the next year's festival. The festeiro is often known as the Emperor.
Regional Diversity
Trying to sum up the immense diversity of elements that define the festival in all the regions of Brazil under one general categorization is impossible. But some recurrent symbols involved in the celebrations are the dove, representing the Holy Ghost, as well as flags that symbolize the blessings of the Holy Ghost and are carried solemnly throughout town or in rural areas as devout groups go from house to house or farm to farm, bringing blessings and accepting donations for the festivity.
Portuguese Traditions
Charity and the generous sharing of food are an important part of the festival. According to Paraty researcher Diuner Mello in a 2001 interview to journalist Nena Gama, rice cakes are a popular Festa do Divino food all over Brazil. He said that tradition is steeped in customs still present in Portugal today. However, he noted that Portugal’s most famous Festival of the Holy Ghost – Festa dos Tabuleiros, or Festival of the Trays – a July celebration that takes place every four years in Tomar (the next will be in 2011), is very different from the Brazilian versions of the event. On the other hand, said Mello, Azores celebrations have many common points with what happens in Paraty.
Outstanding Festa do Divino Destinations in Brazil
- Paraty, Rio de Janeiro
- São Luís do Paraitinga, São Paulo (Map)
- Cunha, São Paulo – Celebrated in July
- São Luís, Maranhão – According to official sources, there are 160 registered Festas do Divino in Maranhão State.
- Pirenópolis, Goiás – One of the highlights of Festa do Divino in Pirenópolis is Cavalhadas, a reenactment of battles between Christians and Moors.
