The Prayer Meadow:

João Coelho

www.joaocoelho-photography.com

A few dozen kilometers from the Luanda there is a meadow sown with imposing baobabs. The baobab is considered to be the largest succulent plant in the world, and it is estimated that it can live up to 2000 years. It is popularly known as the "sacred tree" or "tree of life”. It has a sacred association with childbirth on the African continent and is considered by many tribes as the resting place of their ancestors. They are revered spaces and serve as a ceremonial altar, a source of advice, and the spiritual center of the community.

This meadow could be like any other landscape, but on Saturdays, it teems
with activity with hundreds of believers of numerous religions gathering here. Regardless of their social background, economic condition, or religious belief, believers chose this meadow to pray, sing songs, shout praises, or simply immerse themselves in silent meditation. When they come in groups, which vary in size but never exceed twenty or so believers, they gather in circles holding hands under the protective shade of the majestic baobabs. Whenever there are children, they keep them within the circles, as if they were protecting them or somehow blessing them with their prayers and songs.

The leafiest and most imposing baobabs, certainly centuries old, bear references to Biblical excerpts painted on their trunks or large cloth posters, as if pronouncing from a distance that they are true altars.

There are other natural altars in this meadow that reflect the symbolism of solidity. Scattered in the meadow and standing out on the smooth, sandy soil, large stones with one side painted blue have been placed. These are individual altars, occupied by a single believer who prays, weeps, or cries with a hand placed on the top of the large stone, or simply leaning against it with his eyes closed, in deep meditation.

The dedication to praying and meditation is intense and often reaches ecstasy. In those minutes or hours, there is only enormous spirituality, nothing or no one comes between the believer and the entity to whom he addresses himself. In those moments, all their difficulties, problems, or needs are confided, all sins are confessed, and all admiration, rejoicing, and gratitude are spoken and exalted, amidst cries, shouts, or gestures towards heaven.

Communion and peaceful interaction with nature is total here. It is not uncommon to find groups of goats from who knows where looking for tender leaves to eat among the groups of believers, or to see the meadow being crossed by a herd of oxen and cows carefully avoiding the stone altars as if they were recognizing its sacred meaning.

The diversity of religions coming here and their sharing of a common space is a great example of tolerance that makes us reflect on human nature and its role in the world.