Words are not enough to describe the charm and magical atmosphere that surrounds Salvador Bahia in Brazil, a city which belongs of its people, its saints and the orixas.

Salvador, Bahia was the first capital of colonial Brazil, and a major port for the sugar and slave trade in the sixteenth century.Today, it is the bustling capital of the north-eastern state of Bahia. Eighty percent of its 20 million population is of African descent, which gives the city a unique culture and style. In the historic center, the Pelourinho, you’ll find cobblestone streets and fine colonial-era buildings.  Also renowned for its spicy, seafood-based cuisine and its music, the city is home to annual seven-day Carnival that The Guinness Book of Records reckons to be the largest street party on the planet! Another benefit of spending time in Bahia is the opportunity to learn Capoeira, the Afro-Brazilian blend of dance and martial art. There again, the city has 30 miles of some of the best beaches in the world.

Bahia syncretism

The word syncretism applies to cases where two religions are combined; the resulting religion is a religious syncretism. The Bahian syncretism is a combination of African Candomblé and the Portuguese Christianism.

In Brazil, only a few of the more than two hundred African orixás are worshipped. The orixás have their roots in the ancestors of the African clans, deified around five thousand years ago. They are believed to have the power to control the forces of Nature.

One of the most important orixás is Exu, the intermediary between men and gods, the guardianof crossroads. Other orixás are Xangô, of fire and thunder; Iemanjá, of seas and oceans; and Iansã, of wind and lightning, owner of the souls of the dead.

Cults take place at the terreiros. The authorities of the terreiros are the ialorixá or mãe-de-santo (Portuguese for saint's mother), the priestess, and the babalorixá or pai-de-santo (saint's father), the high priest; both live in the terreiros.

The ritual washing of the steps of the Igreja do Nosso Senhor do Bonfim is held annually in January, onthe second Sunday following the Wise Kings Day (January 6th). The 8 kilometer (5 mi) procession to the hill of Bonfim starts at 10am infront of the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição da Praia, at the lower city of Salvador. From there, fiver hundred women dressed in traditional African attire depart towards the church. They pour water and sprinkle lavender on the first ten steps and wash, singing hyns in African languages.

The washing of Bonfim attracts thousands of visitors, both Brazilian and foreigners. 

Visiting a terreiro, and receiving the bless of a ialorixá or babalorixá is a must for all visitors of Bahia.

Visiting a terreiro, and receiving the bless of a ialorixá or babalorixá is a must for all visitors of Bahia.

The Igreja de Nosso Senhor do Bonfim is the best example of how the two religions merged until today, parishioners unite once a year to honor both African and Christian Gods.

The second day of February is the date most of the Rio Vermelho neighborhood. The tributes to Iemanjá attracts a crowd of people wanting to bring their offerings to the Mother of Waters, asking for protection, a ritual unique and exciting.

Flowers and perfumes are the favorite gifts she has received the orixa, deep sea Atlantic Salvador, unusual gifts and more like a palace blue and white with two meters tall. The offerings are taken to the house of the weight in the Fishing Colony of Red River where they will be distributed in several baskets placed on boats that leave for the sea to the sound of a popping of fireworks to finally be thrown overboard.

The tradition started in 1923, when a group of 25 fishermen in Rio Vermelho made an offering to Yemanjá at a time of scarce fish.