Saint Lazarus Cult in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil

SALVADOR, BRAZIL - JANUARY 30: A Baiana woman performs the popcorn bath, an Afro-Brazilian spiritual cleansing ritual, in front of the St. Lazarus church on January 30, 2012 in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Every year on the last Sunday of January, the religious festival of Saint Lazarus takes place on a hill where the chapel of the same name was built in the 18th century. Faithful, of both the Catholic and Candomblé religions, dressed in the traditional white, usually undergo a purification cleansing ritual (banho de pipoca). As both Saint Lazarus and Omolú are related to diseases and healing, followers bring votive objects made of wax as a demonstration of gratitude and faith. The celebration ends with the festive Catholic Mass during which the elements of African mythology are present. (Photo by Jan Sochor/Latincontent/Getty Images)