Império do Divino Espírito Santo

The impérios [Small Temples] are buildings aimed for the exhibition of elements of the Holy Spirit’s cult, namely the crown, the banner and the staffs.

In the festivities in honour of the Divine Holy Spirit, the Império (small temple) is opened on the Sunday of the Holy Spirit and Trinity, offering candy, Portuguese sweet bread, roasted meat and rice pudding, with an element of the Mordomias at the door, inviting the people to come in. In the same parish, tradition varies and, on the Thursday, before the Sunday of the Holy Spirit, in Terreiros, the traditionals soups are served to the entire population. On the other hand, on the Thursday before the Sunday of the Trinity, soups are served to the population at Manadas. In both occasions, the soups are served at lunchtime.

On Saturday, before the Sunday of the Holy Spirit and of the Trinity, the “bando” [crew] travels through the parish in the Flags cars (3 cars). During the tour, wine, lupins and juice is distributed. The “bando” comprises a knight and the “eldest” of the “bando” and some satiric/social critical poems, usually from the local, are read. In the parish of Manadas, on such Sundays, the mordomias are also carried out, on the lower areas of the parish council, where bolos de véspera [traditional hard cakes], lupins, cheese and wine are served.