Strictly Macumba ~ Quimbanda ~ Jurema Preta

Once you get a taste, you want more. The best giras in the world are for Pomba Gira and Exu, end of August in my Godmother’s Ile in Brazil. The best-the very best of the best-with singing, dancing, drumming, as each medium is ridden in waves by Exu, Pomba Gira, their spirit guides, and lets loose in the middle of the floor. The colored skirts of Pomba Gira swirl, hands on hips, laughing in joy, sweat soaking through clothes until you can wring them with your hands. The whole room is packed, attendees holding presents of red roses, champagne, cigars, jewelry; a favored treat for their favorite spirit guide, hoping to please them and receive a cleansing, messages, healing, wisdom. Mothers with babies in arms, white haired men and women, youth from the neighboring favelas; everyone knows when the bell rings, that magic is about to descend into the ile. The world stands still, time stands still-in the Gira of Exu.