Three Kings’ Day, celebrated this Tuesday (Jan. 6), marks a centuries-old tradition in Brazilian popular culture – the passage of revelers through the streets, bringing together groups of singers and musicians chanting lines in honor of the three wise men: Balthazar, Melchior, and Caspar. Portuguese in its origin, the Folia de Reis, or Reisado, was brought to Brazil during the colonial period.

In various cities across the country, they go from house to house wearing costumes and masks and performing dances and songs with multiple string instruments, accordions, and percussion. Some groups have characters – kings, clowns, and bastions – who visit the homes of the faithful.

Notícias relacionadas:

• Christmas pardon decree leaves out coup plotters.
• Publicly and at home, Brazilians keep nativity scene tradition alive.

Converted into saints by the Catholic Church, Belchior, Caspar, and Baltazar are said to have left the East guided by a star and carrying three gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh – symbolizing royalty, immortality, and spirituality. For devotees, the date of the arrival of the three wise men at their destination marks the end of the Christmas celebrations, which begin four Sundays before December 25, the day attributed to the birth of Jesus Christ.

Thus, January 6 marks the moment when the three wise men visit the newborn Jesus Christ in Bethlehem, an ancient city currently located in Palestine. On this day, nativity scenes, trees, and other Christmas decorations are also taken down.