Over the course of nine days, a religious procession known as the Folia of the Divine Holy Spirit brings messages of faith and song to farms and villages across the countryside of Brazil’s Goias state.

Like a medieval caravan, the group framed by small red and white flags is comprised of more than 300 people, many of them on horseback.

The display celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit to Jesus’ apostles after his crucifixion and has been performed for two centuries since it was first brought to Brazil by Portuguese colonizers. Once there, it was influenced by the cultures of Indigenous people and Black slaves.

A reveler struggles to put a bridle on a horse during the culmination of the Feast of the Divine, in Pirenopolis, Goias state, Brazil, May 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

Mounted riders take part in the culmination of the Feast of the Divine, in Pirenopolis, Goias state, Brazil, May 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

Revelers pray and sing traditional songs, sharing stories born in colonial times. They incorporate the folkloric Brazilian dance Catira as well as Lundu, which originated in Africa. The faithful appeal to God with requests and promises in search of miracles and blessings.

Each time the procession reaches a farm, its members are provided with food and welcome. A town of tents crops up as revelers set up their sleeping spaces amid richly adorned altars and arches, and they play guitar and accordion, dancing into the night.

People hang out as they wait for the culmination of the Feast of the Divine, in Pirenopolis, Goias state, Brazil, May 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

A man jumps over rocks next to a river on a farm during celebrations marking the Feast of the Divine, in Pirenopolis, Goias state, Brazil, May 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

Firecracker are launched during the culmination of the Feast of the Divine, in Pirenopolis, Goias state, Brazil, May 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

Revelers and musicians dance during the culmination of the Feast of the Divine, in Pirenopolis, Goias state, Brazil, May 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

A reveler talks to a parrot during the culmination of the Feast of the Divine, in Pirenopolis, Goias state, Brazil, May 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

A rider plays an ox-horn musical instrument called a Berrante during a parade culminating the Feast of the Divine, in Pirenopolis, Goias state, Brazil, May 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

Faithful smile at the camera during the culmination of the Feast of the Divine, in Pirenopolis, Goias state, Brazil, May 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

Revelers attend the grand dance during the Feast of the Divine, in Pirenopolis, Goias state, Brazil, May 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

Liquor bottles are silhouetted against a red cloth at a bar set up for the culmination of the Feast of the Divine, in Pirenopolis, Goias state, Brazil, May 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

A reveler takes part in the grand dance at the Feast of the Divine, in Pirenopolis, Goias state, Brazil, May 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

Revelers gather by a bonfire after the grand dance at the Feast of the Divine, in Pirenopolis, Goias state, Brazil, May 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

A reveler signals to the camera during the grand dance at the Feast of the Divine, in Pirenopolis, Goias state, Brazil, May 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

Revelers socialize during the grand dance during the Feast of the Divine, in Pirenopolis, Goias state, Brazil, May 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

A reveler smokes outside the main altar set up for the Feast of the Divine, in Pirenopolis, Goias state, Brazil, May 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

Musicians perform at the culmination of the Feast of the Divine, in Pirenopolis, Goias state, Brazil, May 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

A rider is silhouetted against the horizon during the culmination of the Feast of the Divine, in Pirenopolis, Goias state, Brazil, May 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

Lead photo: Faithful remove their hats as they pray during the culmination of the Feast of the Divine religious tradition in the rural area of Pirenopolis, Goias state, Brazil, May 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

Text from story on AP News, AP Brazil procession celebrates the Holy Spirit.

Photos Eraldo Peres

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