Remembrance of Our Lord of Good Endings of Bahia: A Symbol of Religious Materiality

Since as long as I can remember, I have always worn colored ribbons wrapped around either one of my wrists or ankles. The ribbons, normally given to me by my mother or grandmother, are thin and simple looking, and have the words “Lembrança do Senhor do Bonfim da Bahia” printed across them in a plain black font. These ribbons, which in English translate to “A Remembrance of Our Lord of Good Endings of Bahia”, are a symbol of the catholic church of Nosso Senhor do Bomfim located in the northern Brazilian state of Bahia and have been a tradition among Brazilians for centuries.

The tradition of the ribbon wearing is to have a friend wrap the ribbon around your wrist and tie three knots. As each knot is being tied, one must make a wish or prayer. According to the tradition, once the ribbon is tied, it cannot be cut or removed in any way. The prayers or wishes one made will not come true until the ribbon falls off on its own. The ribbons, sold in most Brazilian shops (including those in Little Brazil) are also often gifted to friends or family. I, for instance, extended this tradition over seas by giving several of the ribbons to my friends in New York City. (The image to the left features my wrist alongside my roommates, both wearing the ribbons) 

The ribbon itself, is the exact length of the arm of the a statue of Christ which currently stands on the high altar of the church of Nosso Senhor do Bomfim. The actual statue was originally from Portugal and brought to the church during the Portuguese colonization of Brazil, when the Portuguese built the Catholic church. Because of the number of African slaves imported to the region of Bahia during this time, the church became heavily influenced by the Yoruba religions of Africa. As a result, the tradition of the ribbons combine both religions. The ribbons are made in every color of the rainbow, each color representing both a Catholic saint and a Yoruba African deity, known as an Orixa.

I cannot help but notice that in Brazil, wearing these ribbons has become more than just a symbol of the church and a declaration of faith. The ribbons were originally and continue to be a symbol of resistance against the total religious reform brought upon the Afro-Brazilians during colonial Brazil. By combining the Yoruban deities with the idea of Catholic sainthood, the ribbons serve as a base of modernity in the sense that they continue to uphold and preserve some of the original religious traditions of the people of Bahia. The custom of gifting the ribbons to other friends also preserves and continues these traditions throughout time.

The more I reflect on it, the actual use of the ribbons, creates an added sense of materiality to the overall religious traditions in Brazil. Rather than being reliant on faith alone, and in and of itself, the Brazilian religious tradition is extended beyond the more traditional boundaries of religion. This materiality that comes with the ribbons generates an internal and personal connection to a greater religious experience.The actual ritual of tying the ribbon and making the three prayers is a personal experience that generates a deep connection between the person wearing the ribbon and their own faith. It reemphasizes the idea that religion truly starts within individual experience. Individuals put their wishes and faith in the ribbon and in return, establish certain personal meaning and connections to God. The ribbon allows individuals to create personal feelings and meanings regarding their religious faith.