Portuguese Festivities: Carnaval
If you visited Portugal around February, you might have come across people in costumes celebrating Carnaval. The Portuguese Carnaval, or Entrudo, takes place in the first trimester of the year, and it is a cheerful and colorful celebration that happens all over the country and is planned months in advance! Keep reading to learn more about its origins and traditions and find out the best places to spend the Carnaval in Portugal!
Origin and History
The Portuguese Carnival has likely originated from Ancient Greek’s celebrations for the beginning of a new agricultural cycle and the arrival of Spring to the north hemisphere.
In Portugal, it also evolved with the Christian calendar, with the word Carnaval coming from the Latin expression “carne vale” (“goodbye meat”), as it would precede Easter, a period in which people stopped eating meat during the Middle Ages (and some still do in the present). As Easter would present itself as a symbol of Jesus’ death, Carnaval became a period of excesses before the Lent’s period of reflection and fasting.
It is said that the Portuguese were the ones who introduced Carnaval in Brazil, and then borrowed some of their traditions in return.
Traditions
In Portugal, Carnaval can differ based on the location, with some places having more traditional and local celebrations. Some things are common all over the country though, such as the sayings “É Carnaval, ninguém leva a mal” (it’s Carnaval, nobody takes it personally), usually said after playing some prank, and “A vida são dois dias e o Carnaval são três” (life consists of two days and Carnaval of three).
The Portuguese Carnaval can be celebrated in closed tents or discos, or outside in the streets, with parades and processions. Most people wear makeup, wigs, masks, hats and full costumes which can represent different characters, jobs, historical or contemporary personalities or more popular disguises.
The parades are usually made up of allegorical floats, and they are accompanied by popular music and marches, as well as Brazilian songs from the genres of Samba, Pagode and Sertanejo. It is very frequent to find local schools organizing parades for children to wear costumes made by themselves.
Some popular characters you can find in the parades are the “Gigantones”, human-like figurines that can be as tall as 4 meters, and the “Cabeçudos”, similar figures with huge, unproportional heads. These are usually accompanied by “Zés-Pereiras”, who go after them playing as a band. “Matrafonas” is the name given to men elaborately dressed in women’s clothes. A lot of places also elect a King and Queen of their Carnaval.
The Portuguese Carnaval is filled with social and political critique, not only in the costumes and allegorical floats, but in the whole celebration, and always with a lot of humor.
Famous Carnaval Places in Portugal
Torres Vedras
- Located in the district of Lisbon, Torres Vedras usually receives around 500 thousand visitors in Carnaval, having celebrated 100 years in 2023. It is known as the most Portuguese Carnaval of Portugal.
Podence
Podence’s Carnaval is known for their “Caretos”, characters wearing colorful costumes, representing diabolical figures that go out in the streets to make noise. The Caretos were recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO in 2019.
Loulé
Known as the main Carnaval of the Portuguese south, Loulé takes advantage of being one of the warmest regions of Portugal, with their average of visitors doubling the city’s population.
Funchal
Madeira’s most popular Carnaval takes place in Funchal, known for being one of the most colorful of the country. It includes groups of Samba, with Brazilian influences, but also traditional features, like malassadas, a typical pastry from Madeira.
Ovar
Sometimes called “Vitamina da Alegria” (vitamin of joy), the Carnaval of Ovar is one of the biggest in Portugal, happening ever since 1952 with a preparation of many months. It joins Portuguese and Brazilian traditions, featuring a Carnaval for children, for elders, Samba groups’ parades, masquerades and night processions. It is one of the main touristic events of Portugal’s center-north.
Nazaré
One of the most typical celebrations, with street parades that embody the genuine traditions of the Portuguese Carnaval.
Lazarim
A unique celebration in which the traditional hand-carved wooden masks reflect the craftmanship of the locals and their dedication and creativity.
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