The Sisterhood of the Good Death originated in Salvador at a time when Blacks were denied access to Catholic ceremonies. Consequently, religious rituals combining Catholic and Candomble practices were carried out in secret. Soon, several churches practiced this combination of religions. As time passed, The Sisterhood of the Good Death in the back-bay city of Cachoeira was the only one to survive. Their annual festival (attended by followers from around the world) is held in August, and is a marvilous spectacle. It is led by the sumptuously bedecked Sisters, whose conspicuous gold filigree and coral jewelry belie the reserved dignity of these religious women. Besides the festivals outward expressions of joy and revelry, The Sisterhood of the Good Death's undeniable value lies in its preservation of maintaining the indivisible mark of the Saints and Orixas, characteristic of Afro-Brazilian syncretism, guarded in secrecry and taboos. In masses and processions of a Catholic character, in ritual feasts prepared in the Candomble tradition, in the Sisters traditional black and white robes, in the candles and flowers, and in fundamentals and ceremonies, the Good Death Festival emanates the unique character of the sole surviving Sisterhood of Afro-Brazilian women, united in their faith and devotion to the Holy Mother. This is a "must see" tour.