In Brazil’s Northeast, a traditional celebration known as “São João” happens
every June. From the things I remember most from this time of the year, for sure
the one that really stayed in my heart is the rite known as “Pau de fita” – a dance in
which men and women swirl alternately around a big stick with ribbons that cross
each other. As I’m always looking for things I’m deeply implicated, looking back for
my past and present, this image from my childhood carries this poetical meaning on
itself: people together dancing around, as if repeating the dance of life. I remember
a poem my Manuel Bandeira that says:
“O córrego chora.
A voz da noite...
(Não desta noite, mas de outra maior.)”
[“The stream cries.
The voice of the night...
(Not from this one, but that other one - the greatest.”]
