São Filipe, Jan 5 (Inforpress) – The reign, a secular and genuinely Fogo tradition, that crosses the island singing Rosary, between January 6 and the day of the Ashes, will not be celebrated this year, for the first time, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In recent years, two reigning brotherhoods have struggled to keep this tradition alive, and this year at least one brotherhoods was available to tour the island due to the advanced age of the island’s oldest reign, Filipe Fernandes, known as Nhô Tchina, who he was available to fulfill the tradition, since he is 95 years old.
Due to the pandemic, the reign of José António Freire de Andrade, known as Alfredim de Monte Grande, who for the past 23 years has followed the tradition “religiously”, was advised by the parish priest of Nossa Senhora da Conceição (São Filipe), from where brotherhoods, to stay home this year given the situation.
Counseling was given by the parish priest of Nossa Senhora da Conceição during a mass celebrated last Saturday, having exhorted the brotherhoods to remain at home this year.