Quando Passar na Porta do Cemitério/ Cemitério É Praça Linda/ Abre a Roda (pot-pourri)

The song 'Quando Passar na Porta do Cemitério/ Cemitério É Praça Linda/ Abre a Roda (pot-pourri)' by Aldeia de Caboclos is a rich tapestry of mystical and cultural references, deeply rooted in Afro-Brazilian spiritual traditions. The lyrics invite listeners to reflect on the cemetery not just as a place of death, but as a space imbued with spiritual significance and beauty. The repeated mention of 'Maria' and 'Maria Padilha' evokes figures from Brazilian folklore and Umbanda, a syncretic religion that blends African traditions with Catholicism and Indigenous beliefs.

The first part of the song, 'Quando Passar na Porta do Cemitério,' sets a haunting scene where a passerby is urged to look back at the cemetery gate, where they might see a woman dressed in black, identified as Maria. This imagery suggests a connection to the spiritual world, where Maria could be a spirit or a guardian of the cemetery, symbolizing the thin veil between the living and the dead.

In 'Cemitério É Praça Linda,' the cemetery is described as a beautiful square, yet paradoxically, no one wants to visit. This juxtaposition highlights the cultural fear and reverence associated with death and the afterlife. The mention of Maria Padilha, a powerful spirit in Umbanda, residing in a new catacomb, further emphasizes the cemetery as a place of spiritual activity and reverence.

The final part, 'Abre a Roda,' calls for the opening of a circle to let the 'pombogira' pass. Pombogira spirits are known for their strength and wisdom, often depicted as having 'peito de aço' (a chest of steel) and a 'coração de sábia' (a wise heart). This part of the song celebrates the resilience and wisdom of these spirits, urging respect and acknowledgment of their presence and power.

Overall, the song is a profound exploration of the spiritual dimensions of the cemetery, blending reverence, fear, and celebration of the mystical forces that inhabit these sacred spaces.