HOLLER!: Welcome back to New York City Mea Regina!How many years now have you been reading the Buzios, the Cowrie shells to people in this area?
MAE REGINA: I have been reading the Buzios for at least 6 years in NY
HOLLER!: How would you describe the benefits of having a reading from the Buzios?
MAE REGINA: During the years that I have read buzios I see and feel that have helped guide people with their personal problems and spiritual guidance.
HOLLER!: Over the years, have you noticed any changes or developments in the of people here?
MAE REGINA: I noticed and feel a lot of changes in the people that return yearly to continue reading always the same people, with changes of a better life with good news and in all happier with their life.
HOLLER!: How did you become a reader?
MAE REGINA: The path to learn to become a reader is very long takes time to learn, and this can only be a person that is initiated in the Candomble Religion.
HOLLER!: Do you only read in the New York area, or do you also read in other parts of the country?
MAE REGINA: I didn’t have a opportunity yet to go to other states in this country, but I would love to some day.
HOLLER!: Aside from the insights gained from them, for me the Buzios reading you gave me last year was a rich visual experience as well. Is there a music component to the Condomble tradition that your art comes from?
MAE REGINA: The Candomble Culture has its traditional music, the buzios is part of the art of Candomble.
HOLLER!: Is there a cuisine that is associated with the tradition? What would that be?
MAE REGINA: Palm Oil, Black Eyed Peas, Onions, Fish, Chicken, Yams, Fruits, Honey, Yucca flour etc; African Foods!!!
HOLLER!: country has much potential; how should the dwellers of this land guide those endowments
MAE REGINA: I said this country is blessed and very spiritual, this country is prosperous, rich in land, water. People need to notice that the land has all the riches it needs to sustain life and give thanks to God that they are alive.
HOLLER!: Do you teach people to read?
MAE REGINA: I would like to teach the people the culture of the Orixa shell reading can only be taught by people who have been initiated.
HOLLER!: Do you have students here, are would they go to you in Bahia?
MAE REGINA: I don’t have students, I have people I consider my sons and daughters that come to Bahia to learn more about the culture of the Orixas.
HOLLER!: Share with us news from Bahia. What’s going on there, what are people doing?
MAE REGINA: During the months of Sept - Dec the Candomble Houses are opened to celebrate the Orixas starting with the waters of Oshala.These are huge parties with a lot of energy, beauty and richness of tradition and culture.
HOLLER!: Is the government sympathetic to the religion?
MAE REGINA: The Brazilian government is sympathetic to the Afro-Brazilian religion with great respect. In Brazil we have the Ministry of Culture that takes very good care not only of the Afro-Brazilian culture but of the ,Indigenous cultures as well.
HOLLER!: Aside from the readings that you will be giving, do you have any events planned that are centered related to Candomble? if so, what and where will they occur?
MAE REGINA: In the meantime I am only reading the Buzios and personal spiritual needs.
HOLLER!: I remember you "blessing" a pillow for someone, and that others have said that a pillow is special for them, that they don't just sleep on any pillow. What is the significance of a pillow?
MAE REGINA: The significance of a pillow is to give tranquility and rest to the mind.
HOLLER!: Finally, if you can give one message to all, what would it be?
MAE REGINA: I would tell the people that God (OLORUM) made man to assimilate him and wants everyone to be happy.God wants people to have a full life, a lot of health, smiling, and happy.
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