MesoMag Volume 1
Volume 1 | June 18, 2024
Welcome to our monthly digest, straight from the heart of the Mesosphere, where we explore the hidden world of Latin culture to help us elevate our minds, find ourselves as humans, or just have some fun while we’re high.
Each month, we curate a selection of captivating content, stories, and culture that we believe captures the spirit of Latin culture.
This month's featured content focuses on culture, music, and lore from Brazil.
The Brazilian Festival You Might Not Know
Festa de São João
Festa de São João, celebrated as part of the Festas Juninas during June, is a vibrant festival that takes place at the beginning of the Brazilian winter and in some places rivals the legendary Rio Carnival.
Honoring Saint John the Baptist, Festa de São João is predominantly observed in Brazil's northeast, showcasing colorful decorations like flags and lanterns and features lively forró music.
Participants often dress in traditional country-style attire and engage in activities such as the quadrilha dance, bonfires, and fireworks. The culinary offerings are rich with regional flavors, including corn-based dishes like pamonha and canjica, and sweets such as cocada and pé-de-moleque. This festive occasion is a celebration of rural traditions and religious devotion, occurring annually in the heart of local communities.
The Brazilian Boogie You Need to Learn
Forró
And while Samba grabs all the attention as a Brazilian music and dance style, check out Forró, a lively Brazilian dance and music genre, traces its roots back to the popular dances of the late 19th century known as "forrobodó," "forrobodança," or "forrobodão."
At that time, it was necessary to wet the floors of the location where these parties took place, as they were made of "beaten floor." That is, there was no covering, just earth. People used to dance by shuffling their feet to prevent the dust from rising, hence the term rastapé or drag-foot.
A Myth to Haunt Your Dreams
Blood Sucking Capelobo
Meet the capelobo, a creature rumored to haunt the riverbanks of Xingu and Pindaré. Covered in animal fur and known for its ghastly odor, the capelobo is a figure of terror in local folklore. We don’t know about you but we think this beast has Bigfoot and Nessie beat when it comes to mythic monsters
Depending on the region, it may resemble a grotesque tapir with a hooked snout or an anteater, but all versions agree on its chilling diet: human blood and brains, alongside puppies and kittens.
Can’t get the image of capelobo out of your nightmares? Maybe one of our Mesobis Dream Gomitas can help.
MesoBites
🎧 Paste Magazine has chosen the album Clube da Esquina (1972), by Milton Nascimento and Lo Borges, as the 9th greatest record in the history of music.
🍽️ This week, we’re spicing up our plates with Peruvian anticuchos and Guatemalan pepian. Savor these lesser-known but mouthwatering dishes from across Latin America.
⚖️ Our latest blog discusses the benefits of combining THC and CBD to optimize and balance your buzz. The benefits of this 1:1 ratio are why we made our Balanced gomitas.
🏳️🌈 Latin America is a well-known destination for LGBTQ+ travelers, with an extensive lineup of queer events year-round. From Pride Month festivities to unique cultural festivals, there's always a perfect time to explore and celebrate.
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