Somewhere between my head and my hearT

Somewhere between my head and heart,
Is my throat?
My collarbones?
The freckle at the base of my neck?
Somewhere where these two organs connect in the middle...
Exists a field of wildflowers whom sit atop strapping stems
All as tall
As my third rib
Wading
Reeds and bells of blue,
And fog tumbles its way through the grasses
Much like me
Sliding up stalks
Retreating
Cold air pocket
Like the bottom layer of the lake water
That is twenty degrees cooler than the water you dipped your toes into
The sun shines on my field of wildflowers
But I can't tell where it hangs in the big lavender sky
Frost crunches under boots,
Or calloused feet?
They are so numb from the microscopic icicles that hug the baby green...
This is a place where thoughts have no bearings
Feelings are as sturdy as the disappearing warmth from the disappearing sunlight
Where to sit until my heart refastens its net around my head?
Latticing my face with its crystalline spider web net
Hanging in thick, weightless tassels at the end of each hair strand
Glistening dew of thawed ice
The purity of purified rainwater
Gentle peepholes for my eyes
Instead of restricting my head, my heart's seine seems to make movement effortless
Shimmering falls, elegant trips, poised somersaults
Joined together at the freckle at the base of my neck
The center of this cohesive, milky fog

Love and doves,
Mariamma

Congrats On Your Face

I had fun yesterday making collages so I thought I would do it again on this rainy Friday.  Some of you are beginning summer today and I would like to send you a HIP HIP HOORAY for being done with finals and being at the best part of the summer, when it's all laid out before you.  So many days of freeeeedom!  

Love, 

Me!

Subtleties

Obviously.

Mariamma

Sunrise | Copacabana Beach

Last night and this morning were so much fun! Olivia, George, and I ended up going to get breakfast at 4 am and then watched the sunrise on Copacabana beach.  It was so stunning!

Beauty and beaches, synonyms?

Mariamma

Downtown | Lady Antebellum

My favorite song of the week:

<3

smooches,
Mariamma

Condomblé Ceremony

Hello beautiful people! I had such an amazing time yesterday at my first Condomblé ceremony.  Condomblé is a form of a religion that originated in Africa and was brought to Brazil by the slaves. Because it has roots in Africa, you can find similar faith systems and customs in other places where African slaves were brought, such as Cuba and Haiti.  My mom teaches Afro-Cuban/Haitian dance at a University and so a lot of the songs and customs are familiar to me and I have grown up dancing variations of Condomblé dances.

Within the religion there are Orixas, gods and goddesses that preside over different natural phenomenons, colors, even emotions. They each have their own story and personality.  When one is initiated into Condomblé, usually as a child, a priest/medicine man (I don't know the official term) performs a ceremony to find out which Orixa you will identify with.  They factor in all sorts of things into the 'decision.'  After one has been told they are the son or daughter of one of the many Orixas, they wear the color of their god or goddess on beaded necklaces that have been bestowed with the power of their particular Orixa.

My mom had this done in Cuba for my brother and I when we were kids.  I always forget what Raoul is, but I am watched over by Oxum, goddess of fresh waters like rivers and waterfalls, and goddess of fertility.  She is vain and always has a mirror in her hands; a lot of the movements in her dances mimic a woman adorning herself in a mirror.  Oxum is the daughter of Iemanjá, the goddess of the ocean (which makes perfect sense) and her color is gold or yellow.  I have a necklace of gold and yellow beads that was blessed by the medicine man in Cuba and my mom used to only let me wear it when I was going on long trips, to help keep me safe.  She asked if I wanted them for my trip here to Brazil but I declined because I was so afraid of losing them in the shuffle; they are so sacred.  I kind of wish I had taken them now though.  I think they will feel even more sacred to me after having seen the beautiful and moving ceremony last night.

This is a picture of Oxum, my protector:

And now, here are pictures and videos from last night:

The circle started out with a lot of people dancing and singing and then it started to open up, making room for those who were overtaken by the spirit.  They dance, sing, hug others, are carefully dabbed with washcloths, and are guided around the circle, all while in a trance.  

Condomblé Ceremony 1 from Mariamma Iris on Vimeo.


Condomblé Ceremony 2 from Mariamma Iris on Vimeo.

Condomblé Ceremony 3 from Mariamma Iris on Vimeo.

Please feel free to ask questions about anything in the videos, or anything else for that matter.  I hope you enjoyed them!

Beijos,
Mariamma

A Quick Oí!

Hello beautiful people.  Sorry I haven't posted since last weekend! I was a busy bee this week but got myself to the gym every morning. Wee! Tonight I am being boring and resting up at home which means I go crazy with photo-editing.  I hope you are having a lovely Friday! TGIF

Peace, love, and shenanigans, 

Mariamma