Prayers, Pilgrims and Parties

Isabella Moore is a Sydney photographer currently based in Paris. She took the photos above at the pilgrimage of Saint Sara, patron saint of the Romani people. Every May, Roma from all over the world descend on the small French costal town of Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer for what Isabella describes as, “part religious event, part tourist phenomenon”. She followed the revellers, documenting the contrast of modern-day Gypsies and the countless tourist-carrying hippie vans that pour into the town each year.

The procession involves everything from white stallions and dancing pilgrims to waves of flamenco and jazz musicians, all following the statuette of Saint Sara through town and to the water’s edge. There, everyone joins in a “ritual bath” in the ocean. Once the procession is done, the participants celebrate the affirmation of faith and culture in the most sensible way possible – drinking for the rest of the night. 

More photos of people from around the world:

Romanian Immigrants and Their Magnificent Mansions

Oh, the Memories – Photos from Our North Korea Trip

Civil War, Cowabunga!

Gypsy children and French tourists enjoy the beach.

Believers of Saint Sara (the Gypsy patron saint) carry the cross down to the ocean’s edge.

A father carries his daughter to the procession. Children are often brought to this ceremony in order to be baptised in the same water Saint Sara is lowered down into.

Gypsies carry Saint Sara back up from the ocean’s edge to take her to the church.

Onlookers watch the procession.

Gypsy men carry the sacred cross and emblems for Saint Sara.

Onlookers watch the procession.

A girl in traditional Gypsy dress walks in the procession.

A Gypsy girl.

A German Gypsy girl.

A Gypsy family from Avignon, France pose for a photograph at the beach.

Gypsy children and French tourists enjoy the beach.

Gyspy girls.

A sign at Saintes Maries de La Mer.

A Gypsy family at Saintes Maries de la Mer.

A Gypsy caravan parked beside the beach.