The Party Place of the planet hosts hundreds of small and big parties. As we all know Brazil hosts Rio carnival annually, The heart of Salvador and Rio gathers thousands of people in a celebration.

Now the Brazil is again ready with the festivity names as The Lavagem das Escadarias do Bonfim also known as Bonfim Stairs Washing- or simply Lavagem do Bonfim. The festival is celebrated in Bahia and it is the second largest festival of Bahia Brazil after carnival. The festival first started in the year 1754. It gathers thousands of people and on the second Thursday of January, after the Epiphany (or Three King’s Day).

At 10 A.M., the participants meet in front of the Igreja Conceicao da Praia church, they all dressed themselves in white attire and walk 8 km toward the Igreja do Senhor do Bonfim Church where the actual ritual takes places. The ritual’s take place in the presence of the the local women dressed in typical full white dresses. They pour scented water over the Church stairs and people’s heads, in a ritual of faith and hope, to the sound of African chants.

The closing of the ceremony, which means purification, is an opportunity to feast yourself in typical cuisine, such as the famous acaraje – a beans dumpling, fried in dende oil, filled with vatapa, which is a filling made of shrimp, coconut milk and peanuts.

When: 12 jan – 12 oct 2020

Where: Senhor do Bonfim Square, Salvador, Bahia State