Have you ever heard of the Festa dos Fachos (torch festival) in Machico? It is one of the oldest traditions celebrated on the island. It originates back in the 16th Century when the Madeiran population used torches to warn the villages of attacks by pirates. We found a few good Read more…
Machete (Braguinha) is characteristic instrument of Madeira Island. It is a small guitar with four gut strings that are tuned in thirds, with the exception of the two main strings, which have an interval of a fourth. This instrument is used by farmers at feasts and dance. The music is vulgar in a succession of simple chords, but in the hands of a gifted player, the machete is capable of much more pleasant harmonies, and strangers are sometimes pleasantly surprised to hear the music … in vogue played with considerable effect of an instrument that seems so insignificant. One or two farmers can often be seen on the field after a hard day of work … playing in their favorite instruments. (more…)
Madeira has various ‘Arraiais‘ all year round. Arraiais are traditional regional festivities that is celebrated with street processions, flower carpets, churches and street decorations with lights, colorful flags, music, traditional folklore, food and drink. Each town/parish has its own Arraial and they can differ one from another. To give you Read more…
Did you know that … Carnival was a foolish game of running around, which included water, flour, eggs and tomatoes battles that appeared before the serpentine battles? In Funchal there was a particularly lively area on Shrove Tuesday, where all this running took place: it was located right on the Read more…
All over the world you will find people with Madeiran blood in their veins, and one of them is Curaçao. Curaçao is one of the former Dutch or Netherlands Antilles, formed by two groups of islands, one to the north of the Lesser Antilles (Saba, Saint Eustatius and Saint Martin or Read more…
The month of December can be a very busy one … especially for those who are preparing for the holidays festivities and Madeiran traditions. One of these traditions is the Presépio …. which is set up starting from 8th of December. It is the Christmas Nativity with all the usual Read more…
A beautiful video created by Heitor Rodrigues of a Madeiran cherry picker (apanhador de cerejas) Sr. Agostinho of the village Jardim da Serra. Enjoy the serenity and un-stressfulness when Sr. Agostinho picks the cherries to sell them at the Funchal Market (Mercado dos Lavradores). Next time you buy and eat Read more…
VINTAGE FILM MADEIRA – Private collection of Hugo Reis – Year: 1927 – 1975. Production: Hugo Reis (www.hugoreis.com) This film will be exhibited at the ISLANDS.DOC Festival Date & Time: Saturday 21 of May at 15h00 Location: Centro das Artes – Casas das Mudas, Calheta – Madeira. Click here to Read more…
The Columbus Festival was first held in 2000 with the aim of launching a quality cultural tourism offer on the island of Porto Santo. This year it will be held from 15th till 17th of September 2011. The event is based around the historical figure of Christopher Columbus, who had Read more…
Relive the wonderful past of Madeira. A compilation of amateur short films (35mm, 16mm and 9.5mm) about Madeira. A private collection of Hugo Reis. See the trailer … (more…)
The Poncha is a drink originated in India, brought by the British, and adapted by Madeirans. The Indian name given to the drink, namely pãnch, was initially composed by five ingredients: Rice or nut coconut spirit, sugar, tea of fresh herbs, spices and water. It is believed now that the Read more…
The idea of the Festa da Anona (Cherimoya Feast) was born in 1990, through a group of producers of Faial, that wanted to promote their products (fruit) and thus to call the attention the madeirenses in general. The initial idea was a Regional Cherimoya Exhibition, nowadays also known as the Read more…
White Lupins (Tremoços) is more than an appetizer … it is a wonder bean! Read more >>
Soon the Carnival fever will start here on Madeira Island, but have you asked yourself … what does the word “Carnival” stand for? Wikipedia offers some answers: The Carnival Season is a holiday period during the two weeks before the traditional Christian fasting of Lent. The origin of the name Read more…
The month of December is a very busy one … especially for the locals who are preparing for the holidays festivities and traditions. One of these traditions is the Presépio …. which is set up from 8th of December. Christmas Nativity with all the usual figurines. You will find it Read more…
Missa do parto (Childbirth Mass) is one of the religious mass celebrations that takes place in most churches on the Madeira Island. It is a Christmas tradition that starts nine days (novena) before Christmas. Each day of those nine days represents a month of the pregnancy of the Virgin Mary, Read more…
The city of Funchal transforms itself into a life-size nativity scene. It is Christmas Time on Madeira Island! The streets are decorated with millions of lights …. in all sizes and colors. They evoke images of the seasonal symbolism. The city has put on her evening gala dress with lights Read more…
Some of the native ceremonies on fête days are peculiarly interesting. I recollect well the Christmas I spent in Madeira. It was a beautiful day; the birds chirped merrily in the gardens and the bright rays of the sun beamed radiantly in through the half-opened windows of the little English Read more…
Noite do Mercado (Night of the Market) is a traditional celebration in Funchal that will take place tonight and will last all night long. The location of this event will take place in the famous Funchal market (Mercado dos Lavradores) and the streets surrounding the market. It will be crowded Read more…