Rams overtake Congress Street during Ebune: Procession of the Ram

It was a takeover of paper mache proportions during Ebune: Procession of the Ram on Sunday afternoon.

In front of MECA a crowd gathered just before noon. Ram heads were donned and brightly pattern flags were raised. And the rhythmic drumming could be heard for blocks.

Ebune is led annually by Oscar Mokeme, director of the Museum of African Culture and draws inspiration from West African ritual traditions invoking Ebune, the ram, a symbol of fertility and the harbinger of spring renewal.

And spring was definitely listening (I have the awkward face sunburn to prove it).

A couple of friends and I spectated for a bit, and while we wondered at the puppetry and the crafty nature of Portland in general, we spotted a man in an African mask and full regalia walking amongst the crowd. He carried what appeared to be an animal's tail - Mother Nature's pom pon - and sporadically touched a person on the face or head with it.

After he so anointed a friend, she remarked: "I've either just been cursed or I'm now incredibly fertile." Only time will tell.

The masks and large overhead puppets were impressive - quiet the zoo on Congress Street.

Though nothing quite compared to the enormous - and I mean gargantuan - creature that approached from a side street.

It's the closest I've come to being run down by any of Maine's wild predators (well, there was that unfortunate incident with the pigeon, but let's allow that memory to just drive right on by).

It was at this moment we decided that simply sidewalking ourselves to watch the parade march past would not be an adequate experience. So we found some rams and flags of our own (extras were on hand for just such a change of heart), lifted them high and joined the festivities.

At noon parade-goers spilled onto the street, lined up en masse and started toward the Eastern Prom.

The welcome sun amplified the colors on the street - a spotlight on Portland's menagerie.

The drummers and dancers kept the parade loud and lively.

Once at the East End, the crowd gathered on the still-yellowed grass to celebrate the season and affirm the agreeable notion that winter really is over. (Though I'm not officially putting my shovel away for it's summer slumber until June 1. It's Maine - you just never know.)

We've always heard that "Spring comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb." No one ever mentioned the ram parade in the middle.

They should note that in the future.

More Ebune parade photos