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Holidays

Most Portuguese holidays are centered around the Christian calendar (Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life, 1998, 312).  Many include Easter, Good Friday, All Saints’ Day and New Year’s; only a handful are the most important to mention.  June 13th is recognized as St. Anthony’s Day, St. Anthony representing those who lose things, or a patron of animals.  St. Anthony was born in Portugal in 1195 and the Portuguese celebrate him by allowing the young members of the community to dance in the streets and decorating the town with flowers, candles and images of him to represent his life.  The children also run through the streets on the eve of this day begging for coins in his name (The Folklore of World Holidays, 1998, 387). 

Another saint that is widely recognized is St. Martin of Tours (France), November 11th named St. Martin’s Day in his honor.  The Portuguese call this day Feast of Sao Martinho, celebrating the day by eating roasted chestnuts, ret wine and a fresh pig.  St. Martin was a Hungarian army officer who shared his coat with a beggar in France. He was later appointed The Bishop of Tours, and hid in a barn, his hiding place identified by a honking goose (The Folklore of World Holidays, 1998, 651). 

The most important holiday celebrated by the Portuguese is Christmas on December 25th, called Christmas in Vila Vehla.  On this special day women sit in the center of the church, while men sit on the outskirts, the most prominent men sitting in the front pews.  The ceremony in the church is concluded when the priest holds up an image of the baby Jesus so the congregation can kiss him.  Once completed the members of the church reside to their own homes for a traditional Christmas dinner, strictly a family affair (The Folklore of World Holidays, 1998, 751). 

Folklore

Holidays are not the only recognized traditions in Portugal.  The Portuguese are also very religious and superstitious, believing and taking part in magical practices and witchcraft.  These ceremonies are usually performed when dealing with illnesses and healing (Encyclopedia of World Cultures, 1991, 208).  This superstition is dates back to their strong Catholic beliefs.  The Portuguese place so much emphasis on the worshiping of saints because they believe that an offering to the saints will cure all illnesses.  Many times they place an image of what needs to be healed by the alter in their church in belief that the saint will recognize this and heal (Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life, 1998, 312). 

Another belief that deals with different folklore and superstitious acts deals with death and the rites of passage.  The Portuguese believe that by following the Christian lifestyles they will be in good hands.  That is why they continue to recognize rites of passage such as baptism, confirmation and marriage (Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life, 1998, 313).  Death is also ritualized and taken very seriously in the Portuguese culture.  Church bells announce the passing of a neighbor or family member throughout the villages in Portugal.  Many towns open the doors to the house of the deceased and allowed the members of the community to enter as members of the family cry in mourning for their loved ones.  Black is the color that signifies mourning and death, family members wear black for as long as they mourn.  The closer you were to the deceased the longer that person wears black, the wife usually wearing black for the rest of her life (Encyclopedia of World Cultures, 1991, 208).

E-mail questions or comments to mkfinney@depauw.edu
  February 16, 2001