While slavery was still present in Brazil, an organization of black women was created called "The Sisterhood of Our Lady of Good Death." These women were essentially a secret society, fronting as a Catholic organization raising money for the church. Instead, they used funds to buy the freedom of their enslaved sons and brothers.
The African descendants in Brazil blended their religious beliefs with Catholic beliefs. In the heart of slavery, death was considered a blessing, as the people believed in reincarnation and saw death as freedom from life. The name "Sisterhood of Our Lady of Good Death" refers to Mary, to whom they prayed for the blessing of death.
The festival is celebrated by many Afro-Brazilians as well as feminist groups, as this secret society is considered the first women's movement in the country and commemorates the liberation of the slaves. Attending the festival were 30 women dressed in white thought of as "sisters" because they are descendants of the original group.
We were truly lucky to participate in today's events. A two-hour bus ride brought us inland to Cachoeira where the streets were full of music, food and art. We spent the day enjoying the festival and sampling some of the local delicacies.
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