The Washington times., 1894-06-10
GRAND FIESTA OF NAZARETH
Para's Religious Carnival Where
Penance and Dissipation Blend.
FANTASTIC SCENES BY NIGHT
Class Distinctions Lsveled and All Unite In
Tribute to the Patron saint-Feasting
and Gambling observation-disclosures
Figures in tie Monster Parade.

One Of the most interesting OF the many re-
ligious festivals Is that OF "our Blessed Lady
OF Nazareth, the patron saint of Para.
Though unfamiliar with the early history
OF this favorte saint" says MAJOR J. Orton
Kirby, late consul 10 Para, II can certainly
bear willing testimony to the universal and
Joyous observance of the anniversary oeca-
sion, in which l became happy partici-
pator" The tradition is that ever SO many
hundred years ago 'our lady OF Nazareth
performed some astonishing miracles, such as
the rescuing of shipwrecked Portuguese
mariners, the healing OF lepers, and believe
tho raising from the dead.
As she continues to exercise this godly
supervision over Para, it goes without saying
that our lady is n great favorite and receives
such alteration of those who worship her as
the Virgin Mary.
The evening previous to the beginning of the
fiesta a procession, or rather surginS mob,
composed of the half-dressed, dark-skinned
church in Nazareth to the bishops church OF
old Para, a distance OF some two and half
miles, the effigy presenting our lady OF
Nazareth, in the diminished caricature OF an
overdressed modern doll baby.
After having tremendously deposited this
doll with the bishop, the crowd disperse to
spend the night in preliminary enjoyment.
Early the following morning the popuiace,
asgregating fifty thousand persons OF all sorts,
attired in gala holiday costume, assemble az
the bishops church TO take part in the grand
escort accompanying the return OF the doll to
the Nazareth church.
During the day all business in Para is sus-
pended, the streets through which the pro-
cession passes are profusely decorated, the
windows doors and balconies being occupied
by the more refined people, everybody from
the governor down to the humblest native
making hts best appearance.
The military, with numerous brass bands,
accompany the surging mob, which crowd
along the narrow streets, all seeming anxious
to get as near as possible to the carriage OF
state in which a priest rides, to the intense
qualification OF the populace. The carriage
Is drawn by men and women. it being accorded
Of the long rope.
Immediately following the efigy comes the
most ghastly and at the same time ridiculous
feature of the odd display, in the way OF
models OF widely different character, which
are intended to represent the numerous mir
acles or cures that have been performed.
There is life boat, said to be the identical
craft in which ten mariners were preserved
for many weeks without food or water, and
finally guided by the unseen lady to Para.
coffin or two which are carried along with
the procession are intended to prove that the
former occupants were raised from the dead.
But the most remarkable exhibit is the great
number of wax models of arms, legs, and
heads exposed to the hot sun, which almost
alt fheu hara-hnldpd
women that carry them.
Each model is nodded and painted In a
ghastly way, so as to represent to the puoi1c
In colors the horrible, and in a majority Of
examples truly disgusting sores OF which
they were cured by this saint A room ad-
joining the church is used as an anatomical
museum, wherein these models are deposited
or melted down for future use.
The better class of fdevotees ride in carriages
in which are carried little Nazareth saints,
represented by children dressed in virgin
white dark-skinned picksninny angels with
quivering uncertain wings, sky-blue stock
ings, and red shoes, carrying in their hands
religious emblems
On the occurrence of this anniversary,
which is happily arranged for the season OF
the year when the rains are less frequent than
at any other time, the people of Para Of the
better class who do not take an active part In
in the religious festivities make it the occasion
lOf a Sentrdl interchange VI SOoA iceiiuS,
pretty much as with US during the Christmas
holidays.
1t is the only week Of the year when It Is
permissible for ladies to appear at night un-
attended by their parents. The large square
in front OF the Nazareth church is filed with
gaily-decorated fancy booths, in which all
manner OF holiday wares are profusely ex-
hibited and most vociferously auctioned OF.
majority are gambling booths. No attempt
is made to conceal the almost universal prac-
tice from which source the church Is supposed
to profit. Bands play alternately in different
parts OF the grounds. Platforms are erected,
on which the natives dance to tEe monoto-
nous tom tom of the tambourine. The houses
of residents fronting this square are always
leased or opened to the public on this occa-
sion, and are usually occupied as restaurants
or for refreshments or gambling purposes.
The whole scene is brilliantly lighted. This,
with the music. the lively booths, noisy hut
happy attendants. and the delightful prone
made on the broad, stone sidewalk, make
charming spectacle. Ladies OF the better
class are on this occasion ut liberty to walk
with gentlemen, who have the opportunity
(and all opportunities should be embraced, as
It only occurs once year, to make love to
pretty senorita while promenading undcr wide
spreading mango trees or sitting under the
tall, graceful palms, inhaling the fragrance OF
the cinnamon or the perfume OF the tropical
flower waited on the heavy air from the
neighboring gardens.
1t is n scene that one cannot describe, the
memory of which remains as happy and joy
GUS impression on ones mind. With all the
discomforts of life in that region one be-
comes so fascinated by the recollection that
he longs to repeat the happy experience.