"A festa da fita"

There are countries where some  specific "rituals" play an important role, namely when they are "cross-road" moments towards different  levels and stages of life.
Some of these rituals seem so distinct from the ones we are used to in western societies that  there is an almost natural tendency to either consider them "weird" and lacking any relevance or too folkloric to accomodate within our taste.

As I was working on Sal island last August, I came across a "festa da fita", whose literal traslation is "the ribbon party", which marks the green light at the cross-roads of pre-primary/primary school education, meaning children will no longer attend kindergarten, having reached an age and "responsibility level" that will allow them to move forward onto primary school.

Being given a ribbon is what most  5/6 year old children look forward to, once it means they have achieved the minimum required level so as to move ahead, based on their learning and behavioural attitude development.
It  is as an important moment for them, as it is for parents and teachers alike, while they gather to participate in the  ritual ceremony.

I was impressed, or  I should maybe say surprised to see the children dressed up like "young adults" ..., this being part of the whole ritual ...
A ribbon, like a  prize medal is something one is entitled to because of  personal effort  and commitement...

How wonderful it would be if we were all able to win our "ribbon" along the chalenging circuit stages of life!..


Photo of  5 year old Loridania as she was awarded the ribbon - Espargos, Sal island (Cape Verde) - 2009