Sunday, May 27, 2012







When a child of tender age (under 7) dies, becomes a little angel and goes straight to heaven. The corpse of the child is dressed in white or pink. It is sometimes placed a bouquet of flowers in his right hand and a paper crown on his head.



Here the godmother plays a preponderant role. She is responsible for the expenses of the party. Assists in the preparation of the body and is responsible for the child to dance. Is placed in a special chair all night and a table with candles and flowers prepared in the form of altar. All this until the coffin is done.




At night, they don't pray for the dead child, but they dance the "chigualo" and they sing lullabies or Salves, accompanied by Bombo, Cununo, Guasa and Marimba. In dancing,the women form a semicircle around the table and the altar. The Godmother or a delegated person by her, takes the child and, and while they sing, they offer him for the presents.
The godmother gives the body to one of the women in the semicircle. This ritual lasts all the night. The ceremony is accompanying with typical drinks of the region.






The child's mother accompanies the act without participating in the semicircle. The next day, they take the child to the cemetery. The procession is accompanied by many songs expressing the joy of a new member of the choir of angels. They don't make novenary to the child cause his soul isn't grieving.