Legend has it that São Gonçalo took prostitutes out of the profession by taking them to dance. He left them so exhausted that he kept them from "practicing their craft." He also played the viola and danced with them, happily, but having nails in his shoes, hurting his feet, to make it clear that he was not enjoying himself.

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The same dances are repeated today in the interior of Brazil.

 

Barefoot, wearing white and modest clothes, without watches, earrings, rings, lipstick or any type of ornament, six women and four men - who play the fiddle, tambourine, adufo and viola - gather in a terreiro to play and dance. . Like São Gonçalo, they are not there to have fun. The objective now is to pay a promise made to this saint.

 

The seriousness of the event is evident in the faces, concentration and dedication of the dancers. The choreography that lasts about 30 minutes and is repeated up to 12 times is exhausting. The weariness is evident, but the promise must be paid, regardless of whether grace has been achieved or not. The simple fact of doing it already brings the debt in itself. Not even death exempts a person from paying off the debt to the saint.