A personal selection of photographs with their stories.
088. Mirror effect
NOVEMBER 2006: Mirror effect
This picture was taken when I was on the way to a so-called benzedor, a spiritual healer. Most Europeans will have skeptical thoughts about the work of a benzedor, as if they are convinced that such a healer only wants to draw attention by means of his weird rituals. However, many Brazilians think differently. They are profoundly religious and seek salvation when they are in big spiritual need. Not only are the churches frequented, but also people who somehow have certain contact with the spiritual world. No wonder that you might notice a fully occupied waiting room for such a healer. The healer received people all day. In the morning, he worked for free, and in the afternoon, he worked upon request, and will receive money in return. In my case, the benzedor used an immense rosary, and read tarot cards and cowries (búzios). He was the voice of the psychic world, sometimes he even was changing his voice, as if some spirit had entered him, and he was in full trance then. When I was on the way, I made this picture, in an attempt to represent the path that lies behind us and the one that lies in front of us.
© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2006, 2014
Adriano Antoine 