Stories of Paraná - Black Mother

Stories of Paraná - Black Mother

Black Mother
Roberto Abraham George Washington

Black grin, dripping sympathy of kind eyes, body fat, plump.
Age? To know that. "Negro when he paints, thirty three times," the saying goes.
Bulky hips, breasts fed.
Breasts that nursed how?'ve Lost count. Mother's milk, when milk lacked the natural mother. Divine Blessing able to breastfeed children of others, able to give strength and support to the child passing to love as their own.
So it was that I met Bastiana emjaguariaíva when he was a child.
Sebastiana was the guardian angel of the city! Party, illness in the family, funeral, and Bastiana was there taking care of everything: kitchen, ilos preparations; encouraged or consoled, depending on the occasion.
Without expecting anything in return, the desire to serve, for friendship, for their dedication to the people of your land!
He liked to have fun.
At the end of Rua Almeida Salim, near the cemetery, there was a club whose name I never knew, because iodines called the "Anthill." The club had no light, but had enough fun, dancing all weekend.
There reigned Bastiana, dominated, kept order and respect, because there had to be about, but the invitation was to withdraw.
At the carnival, everyone expected the block club, "Block Bastiana" whose components came dressed as Indians, with clothes made of "goat's beard" - parasite overhanging trees - grounded and excited, playing their instruments rudimentary.
Sebastiana came in front animating the group, receiving the applause of his people, his greater glory! Today, the club and the block no longer exist only in the memory of those who lived through or some lost photo.
And Sebastiana too long now lives in heaven, where you should take the time cradling the angels and the saints with his charming smile.
His people did not erected a monument, like the São Paulo "Black Mother" in Largo Paissandú nor honored with a mausoleum.
Today, I beg leave to all jaguariaivenses to, on behalf of all, pay tribute to Bastiana, which should always live in the memory of those who knew and estimated. And bowing one, revere all our Bastianas this Paraná.
Your blessing, Bastiana!

Roberto Abraham George Washington, born Jaguariatva, is a bank manager in Pirai do Sul


Source: Stories of the Paraná, Brasil.