Lavagem do Bomfim

Want to walk 10 KMs in the hot sun? Drink lots of beer and pee on the street? Nope, I'm not talking about Carnaval, our most popular event for drinking lots of beer in the hot sun and peeing in the street, I'm talking about Lavagem do Bomfim. Each year a group of Bahianas sets out way down by Mercado Modelo and walks the distance on the streets to the Church of Bomfim to wash the steps with lavender scented water, some assortment of flowers and plants and so on. This tradition, steeped in religious meaning and importance is a great excuse for a party (like anything here is) - so the streets are also populated with beer sellers, churrasco de gato (who knows what the mystery meat is) and some very specific things for the event like hats to keep the sun off, sunscreen and the famous Bomfim tapes. You walk the distance either to pay back for a miracle in your life, or to ask for one. Or just to drink. I did this walk myself about 3 years ago and didn't even feel the distance pass for all the beer. This year my husband went and brought me back a flower he found along the way.


Many happy returns!