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The Brazilian countryside is known for its regional festivals, such as Folia de Reis (Party of Kings). Minas Gerais, especially Paraopeba, offers a very traditional Folia. In this small town and the surrounding districts of Caetanópolis and Matozinhos, between December 24th and January 6th groups of artists celebrate the Three Kings (or three wise men), to the delight of all the locals. Musicians and dancers wear masks and walk around the villages blessing the houses. In Paraobeba, Antônio Simões da Silva, born in 1944 and known by all as Peixão (big fish), makes masks for the Kings’ party using wood and newspaper. “I make Melchior black and Baltazar and Gaspar with long beards for the group led by Mr. Zezito Barbeiro.” Mr. Zezito is one of the most well known people in Paraopeba, and has taken part in the festival since he was 8 years old. He started accompanying his father, and now, at 75 years of age, is the leader of the group Chico d’Abelha, founded in 1947. “It’s not easy, because few people are interested in the event nowadays, only the elderly and a few children. The leader of the group must arrange costumes and musical instruments for all the participants. We depend on donations, and during the festival we collect money and food for a local old people’s home”. |
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BALTAZAR
Mask for the Party of Kings,
Chico d’Abelha group.
Fabric and paper, 40 cm tall |
GASPAR
Mask for the Party of Kings,
Chico d’Abelha group.
Fabric, paper and straw |
MELCHIOR
Mask for the Party of Kings,
Chico d’Abelha group.
Fabric and paper, 40 cm tall |
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