The Meat Pounding (Espirito Santo)

Açores

Isolation has made the Azores a united and supportive community. During the Feast of the Holy Spirit, groups of men from the Brotherhood of the Meat walk through the streets of Maia, singing improvised verses and distributing bags of beef to help families in need. The donated meat is pre-cut and blessed by the parish priest. This ceremony is known as “the meat blessing” and is an example of citizenship and mutual help.

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