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Rituals
spiritual works
 Concentração (meditation)
Cura (healing)
Hinário (book of hymns)
Santa Missa (holy mass)
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Spiritual Works
The Santo Daime rituals are a strong support in the process
of selfpurification. The Daime casts aways the old identity,
the crusts of the ego, the psychic imbalances and spiritual
obstacles, and with this the roots of physical illness. By taking
the responsibility to work on body and mind, participants can
evolve to a higher spiritual consciousness. In the history of
the Santo Daime religion, different rituals have been developed
for different purposes. The most common rituals are the 'Concentração',
the 'Cura', the 'Hinário' and the 'Santa Missa'. All
rituals have a precise structure, as received by Master
Irineu. The singing of the hymns forms the basis of the
rituals, transmitting the teachings and expressing a profound
love for all Divine Beings, as manifested in nature. The dancing
in some rituals, plays an important part in forming a strong,
spiritual current among the participants, giving them strength
and protection.
Concentração
The 'Concentração' (meditation) is the first ritual
which has been revealed by Master Irineu. It is held on every
15th and 30th day of the month, and takes about five hours.
Essential part is a group meditation, in which every participant
gets the time to become 'one' with the beverage. The personal
space that is offered this way, makes the Concentração
an accessible ritual.
Cura
The 'Cura' (cure) takes about five hours and usually takes place
a couple of times a month. The hymns that are being sung, are
very strong hymns in which spiritual entities are called to
help the people who need it. As the Santo Daime religion has
a strong syncretic character, these entities have different
origins: God the Father, the Holy Mother, Jesus Christ, angels
and archangels, the celestial constellations, the forces of
nature, but also spiritual entities from the rainforest and
entities with African roots.
Hinário
A 'Hinário' (collection of hymns) is sung and danced
on important days of the Daimistic
Calendar, and can take more than twelve hours. These days
come from the Christian traditions, completed with days which
find their origin in the history of the Santo Daime religion.
Many festive days are concentrated around the months of June
and December, periods that are therefor also known as the Summer
and the Winter festival. The Hinários that are being
sung, are those of the spiritual leaders of the doctrine, and
the 'fardados' (uniformed) wear for the special occasion their
'farda branca' (white uniform).
Santa Missa
The 'Santa Missa' (holy mass) from Master Irineu is sung in
memory of the brothers and sisters who returned to the spiritual
world, and is composed of many prayers and slow hymns. This
ritual takes about two hours, and is held on the first monday
of each month, as well as on days that mark the passage of a
spiritual leader of the Santo Daime.
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Churches
Churches of Santo Daime are usually of a hexagonal shape. In
the middle of the inner space, is a hexagonal or star-shaped
table, around which are defined six areas. These areas, three
for the women and three for the men, represent the generations
that are present in the community. This way, the feminine and
masculine energies keep eachother balanced during the ritual.
Depending of the kind of ritual, the participants sit, stand
or dance around the table. The places at the table are usually
reserved for the 'comandante' (commander) and the musicians.
Fardados
Everyone can choose to become 'fardado' (uniformed) when he
or she feels ready for it. This means that one becomes dedicated
to the religion, a personal decision which is sealed inside
of a ritual by receiving a small, metallic star, usually decorated
with the symbols of the eagle and the moon, which the person
will wear on the uniform in all future rituals. Women and men
who are fardado wear special outfits, in order to obtain visual
harmony during the rituals.
The basic uniform is called 'farda azul' (blue costume), which
is used for most of the rituals. The women wear a blue skirt,
a white shirt and a blue bow, while the men wear blue pants,
a white shirt and a blue tie.
The festive uniform is called 'farda branca' (white costume),
and is only used for the Hinários. The women wear a white
skirt, a white shirt with green ornaments, and a little crown,
while the men wear white pants with a double green line on each
side, a white shirt, a white jacket and a blue tie.
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